Perhaps the most surprising development of the 2026 NFL season thus far is the downfall of the Los Angeles Chargers, who were expected to contend for the AFC West title behind new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and what had been a sturdy defense. Instead, a 24-16 Week 1 home upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals as the biggest NFL betting favorite on the board (8.5 to 9.5 points, depending on the outlet) served as an unfortunate sign of things to come. (And it was an early wrecking ball for Survivor Pool participants who put their faith in the Chargers). It was initially seen as a potential outlier and product of the weekly unpredictability of the NFL.
Get a $55 bonus after making $25 worth of trades with the best Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS55: The Chargers proceeded to drop another home game to the Raiders as touchdown favorites, by an identical 26-14 score, and their season began to unravel. The problems have been a groundswell of offensive ineptitude, aided by injuries to their offensive line and playmakers, and an uneven defense. Fast forward a month, and the Chargers sit at 0-6 and are one of two remaining winless NFL teams.
The other, the Miami Dolphins, come as no surprise as finalists in the futility sweepstakes. The AFC East club declared its hand as a full rebuild when it traded away receiver Jaylen Waddle and bid farewell to veterans such as salary cap-wrecking QB Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill, along with former head coach McDaniel. The Dolphins loaded up on draft capital and anchored their rebuild around offensive line prospect and first-round pick Kadyn Proctor, and second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez, The linebacker from Texas Tech has emerged among the favorites in the Defensive Rookie of the Year odds.
New coach Jeff Hafley, a former Packers assistant, brought in former Green Bay backup QB Malik Willis as a hybrid bridge/potential permanent answer at the position. Bet on NFL futures and props at DraftKings, where new users get $200 in bonuses and three free months of NBA League Pass when they spend $5+: Miami was a co-favorite along with Arizona at betting outlets, with odds of around +400, to emerge with the fewest regular-season NFL victories, and the Dolphins are coming through for their supporters in this market. But will they be upended by the Chargers, who were the second favorite at (+190) behind the Chiefs (+160) to win the AFC West.
On the bright side for the Chargers, they stand zero chance of losing in Week 7 as they are on their bye, while the Dolphins are 4.5-point underdogs as they visit the AFC East rival Jets. Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change As 4.5-point favorites (down from an opener of -5.5 in most markets), the Jets (2-4) carries an implied win percentage of about 69.2% into the matchup with the Dolphins. Miami is getting some respect in the betting market because, despite an anemic offense, the defense has been respectable.
And that offense, which is tied with Tennessee for the league's worst scoring unit at 14 points per game and lost star RB De'Von Achane, is slowly finding ways to become at least marginally efficient. The Dolphins have pushed the Vikings (5-0) and Bengals in one-score contests their past two games. The Jets are a major factor in the race for the last winless team.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
