Jets, Ravens … Eagles? Who is most miserable after five weeks of the season?
We have passed the 25% point of the NFL season, which suggests we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after Week 5. Note that these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
New York Jets: Winless at 0-5
The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, giveaways, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.
Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?
Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the running back, and the rest.
Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is soft, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.
Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.
No organization in football relies so heavily on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into this season, the season looks all but over for Cincinnati.
Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.
Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But among AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their situations, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are sharing the best record in their NFC. Why the long faces?
Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.
Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this setback if you wanted to. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was crazy.”
Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?
MVP of the week
Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|