Jets, Ravens … Eagles? Who is feeling the worst after Week 5 of the season?
We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the path of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the fifth week. Remember these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are poor 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 check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, giveaways, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 years is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.
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 Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and the rest.
Still, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.
No franchise in football hinges on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back next season, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into this season, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.
Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.
Raiders Drop to 1-4
Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two picks in Week 5 led to Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.
Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.
Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But among the wideout and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their roles, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are equal with the best record in their league. 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 average rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this loss if you attempted. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”
Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?
Top Performer
Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, replacing the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|
