The LA Chargers are 0-6, and the Miami Dolphins are 0-5, after six weeks of the the 2026 NFL season, both franchises struggling mightily across the board.
The Dolphins enter Week 7 as 5.5-point underdogs away to the New York Jets, while the Chargers face a bye week hoping to reset their season.
Where will the Chargers and Dolphins first win come from?
Los Angeles Chargers
In the 2025 NFL season, the LA Chargers went 11-6 to finish second in the AFC West.
Heading into this season, they were projected to win 10 games, but have just lost their sixth straight game, to the Kansas City Chiefs by a margin of 16 points.
The Chargers hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new Offensive Coordinator in a changing of the guard, but, so far, his new offensive system has struggled.
McDaniel's system relies on complex pre-snap motion and spacing, and the Chargers have the third-most pre-snap penalties in the league, with 54.
This makes it incredibly hard for the offense to get into a rhythm.
After an amazing start to his career, Chargers QB Justin Herbert has regressed in 2026, facing one of the worst stretches of his career: he sports a league-worst 8 interceptions and a league-low QBR of 29.9.
They have lacked receiver depth beyond WR Ladd McConkey, who has dealt with on-and-off injuries. This has led to the Chargers having the largest negative total expected points added (EPA), at -89.31, with the second-worst being the injury-riddled Philadelphia Eagles at -67.86.
The Chargers have their week off now, but following the bye, their schedule doesn't get any easier, with the next three games being the pre-season Super Bowl favourite Los Angeles Rams, who have struggled to start the year but have the talent to be favoured over the Chargers; the Houston Texans, who were off to a slow start but have won their last two; and the Baltimore Ravens, who, if they have Lamar Jackson back, will absolutely be heavy favourites.
In Week 11, they play the 2-4 New York Jets, who haven't shown much promise, but importantly, already have two wins on the board.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins went 7-10 in the 2026 NFL season, with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.
Heading into this season, they made a quarterback change, releasing the native Hawaiian, and signing former Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers mobile quarterback, Malik Willis, to a 3-year, USD $67.5 million contract.
Willis has struggled protecting the ball to start the season, ranking last in completion percentage at 56.2% and last in on-throw target rate. He hasn't looked comfortable on the field, holding onto the ball too long, and turning the ball over often, already with 4 interceptions and 3 fumbles.
The offensive scheme they have run hasn't worked, with the Dolphins ranking 29th in EPA per play, and 31st in offensive success rate at 34.7%.
The Dolphins have lacked veteran presence, letting go of a few veterans from last season and relying heavily on their young core.
Injuries have also impacted their season, with star running back De'Von Achane ruled out early for the remainder with an ACL injury, and backup running back Jaylen Wright dealing with an ankle injury. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks suffered a foot injury in Week 5 but looks likely to play in Week 7, and Kyle Louis suffered an MCL injury in Week 1 and is likely to return to practice this week.
Miami do have some winnable games upcoming, facing the 2-4 New York Jets this week, followed by the 4-2 New England Patriots, who started slowly but are on a three-game win streak, and the Detroit Lions, who sit 3-2 but have struggled defensively.
Their most winnable game comes in Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, who haven't played well, defeated by the then-winless Tennessee Titans last week, and sitting just 2-4.
If the Dolphins can get some improved production from the quarterback position, and get some players back from injury, their losing streak could - and should - come to an end soon.
