Dan Graziano, Tim Hasselbeck and John Fox explain why the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings are two of the biggest challengers to the Rams. (1:48)

Seven weeks into the season, teams are separating themselves in the standings. A few we thought could be Super Bowl contenders, however, have issues that need to be fixed -- quickly.

We asked our NFL Nation reporters to take the temperature of those six teams and explain why the coaches and players are preaching patience ... for now.

Let's start in Jacksonville, which has a surprising problem over the past month.

Jacksonville Jaguars' defense

Everyone knows the Jags' issues on offense, but the defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to post the sixth-best QBR (76.4) in the league over the past three games, all double-digit losses. Jacksonville also has allowed 157.7 rushing yards per game over that span, which ranks 28th in the league. Is there any panic in Jacksonville?

The verdict: A lot of the Jaguars' defensive issues can be attributed to the lack of help from the offense. During the three-game losing streak, the offense has turned the ball over eight times -- including three inside its own territory, another returned for a touchdown, and two others in the end zone. Plus, the offense has had drives last four or fewer plays on 16 of its 36 possessions. That's putting the defense on the field way too much, and those players are wearing down. The defense isn't forcing turnovers and pressuring the quarterback the way it did last season, either, but it has been playing from behind, as the Jaguars have been outscored 57-0 in the first half of the past three games.

"We're not playing well as a team. I don't want to get into individual players or what side of the ball," coach Doug Marrone said. "Right now as a team, when you talk about takeaways, turnovers and field position, those are the three things we need to focus on, which are all three things our team can do a better job of." -- Michael DiRocco