🔗 Share this article

We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after Week 5. Remember these are not exactly the worst teams 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.

New York Jets: Winless 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 game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, giveaways, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with no positive results. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next year, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into the present year, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the current approach – being fully committed to 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 reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But among the star receiver and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a D that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their league. Where are the smiles?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this setback if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, 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 confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?

Top Performer

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, replacing the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|