🔗 Share this article

We’re past the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the path of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the fifth week. Note that these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as expected) 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 fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, giveaways, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his D, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and the rest.

However, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so optimism remains. But considering how messy the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into this season, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But amid the star receiver and the other receiver showing frustration with their roles, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the end of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this loss if you wanted to. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?

Player of the Week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The ball carrier, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|