New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? Which team is most miserable after Week 5 of the NFL season?
We’re past the first quarter of the professional football season, which means we have a clear picture of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
Jets Remain at 0-5
The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, giveaways, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which admittedly 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 running back, and company.
Still, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3
This situation stems from a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase caught a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No team in football hinges on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next year, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the current campaign, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.
Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.
Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who is still a rare positive in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest produced Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Yes, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But between AJ Brown and the other receiver showing frustration with their roles, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the top mark in their NFC. Where are the smiles?
Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.
Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are average rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less 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 opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this setback if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. 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?
MVP of the week
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|