New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? Which team is most miserable after five weeks of the season?
We’re past the 25% point of the NFL season, which means we have a clear picture of the direction of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Note that these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
Jets Remain at 0-5
The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, giveaways, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.
Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?
Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and company.
However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3
The issue here is one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.
No team in football depends so much on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into this season, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.
Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.
Raiders Drop to 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in the fifth game produced Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.
Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.
Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But amid AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their situations, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are equal with the leading standing in their conference. Why the long faces?
Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.
Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”
Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?
Top Performer
Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, replacing the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|