Jets, Ravens … Eagles? What squad is the unhappiest after Week 5 of the season?
We’re past the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after the fifth week. Note that these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.
New York Jets: Winless at 0-5
The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, 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 loss to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, mistakes, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Ravens Sink to 1-4
Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Making matters worse, 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 will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.
Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.
Bengals Fall to 2-3
The issue here is one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the talented wideout, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No organization in football relies so heavily on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back next year, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.
Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the few good things in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was more proof of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure 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.
Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But amid AJ Brown and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s collapse was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a D that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their NFC. Why the long faces?
Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.
Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are average rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Tennessee score did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was crazy.”
Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?
Player of the Week
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|