🔗 Share this article

We are beyond the quarter mark of the NFL season, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the direction of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after Week 5. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor 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 fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, giveaways, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the running back, and their teammates.

However, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one moment: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into this season, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among the star receiver and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their situations, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was alarming: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are tied for the top mark in their conference. Where are the smiles?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than terrible, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?

MVP of the week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, substituting for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|