New York Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Who is feeling the worst after five weeks of the season?
We have passed the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after Week 5. Remember these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.
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 game-winner 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 much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, giveaways, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.
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 Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.
Still, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3
The issue here is one moment: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No team in football relies so heavily on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender 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.
Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.
Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the fifth game produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.
Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.
Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their roles, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles blew a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their conference. What happened to the joy?
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 mediocre rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a botched interception that led to a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was insane.”
Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?
MVP of the week
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|