Jets, Ravens … Eagles? Who is feeling the worst after five weeks of the campaign?

We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal 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 far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his D, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is manageable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one moment: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in 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. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into this season, the season looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be a rare positive in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the latest contest led to Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what Plan B 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.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But among the star receiver and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their conference. Where are the smiles?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a botched interception that ended in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

Player of the Week


Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The ball carrier, substituting for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|

Tammy Kemp
Tammy Kemp

Award-winning journalist with a passion for uncovering truth and delivering compelling narratives to a global audience.