New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? What squad is feeling the worst after five weeks of the NFL season?
We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after the fifth week. Note that these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
Jets Remain at 0-5
The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell drilling 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 score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, giveaways, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. 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 worst home loss in team history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and company.
However, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is soft, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is nearly depleted.
Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.
Bengals Fall to 2-3
This situation stems from a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.
No organization in football hinges on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next season, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into the present year, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.
Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.
Raiders Drop to 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the only bright spots in a weird new era 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 head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But among the wideout and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their roles, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles blew a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are equal with the best record in their league. Why the long faces?
Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.
Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are average rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was insane.”
Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?
Player of the Week
Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The ball carrier, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|