New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? Which team is feeling the worst after five weeks of the season?
We are beyond the first quarter of the professional football season, which means we have a clear picture of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after the fifth week. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
New York Jets (0-5)
The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in league history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, mistakes, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Ravens Sink to 1-4
Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and their teammates.
However, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
This one boils down to one moment: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No organization in football hinges on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back next year, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into this season, 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
Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in Week 5 led to Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.
Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.
Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Yes, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But among the star receiver and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their positions, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are sharing the top mark in their league. Where are the smiles?
Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.
Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are mediocre rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you attempted. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was crazy.”
Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?
Player of the Week
Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|