New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? What squad is feeling the worst after five weeks of the season?
We have passed the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a clear picture of the path of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the fifth week. Note that these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
New York Jets (0-5)
The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4
Certainly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and the rest.
Still, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is soft, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3
This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No team in football relies so heavily on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the present year, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.
Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.
Raiders Drop to 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in the latest contest led to Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative 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.
Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among the wideout and the other receiver being disgruntled with their situations, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their NFC. Where are the smiles?
Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.
Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are average rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this setback if you attempted. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, 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 uncertain. I really don’t even know. 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?
MVP of the week
Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|