New York Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Which team is the unhappiest after Week 5 of the campaign?
We’re past the quarter mark of the NFL season, which suggests we have a good idea of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.
New York Jets (0-5)
The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, 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, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.
Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?
Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4
Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and the rest.
However, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.
Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.
No organization in football hinges on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the current campaign, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.
Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was more proof of the poor combination of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.
Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.
Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But between AJ Brown and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their NFC. Why the long faces?
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 awful, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Tennessee score did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this loss if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was insane.”
Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?
Top Performer
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The running back, filling in for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|