New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? Which team is feeling the worst after the first five weeks of the season?
We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a good idea of the path of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
New York Jets: Winless at 0-5
The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat 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 team with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, turnovers, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4
Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in franchise history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which in fairness has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.
Still, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.
Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.
Bengals Fall to 2-3
This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the talented wideout, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while notable in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No team in football hinges on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow returns next season, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into the current campaign, the schedule looks practically done for Cincinnati.
Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.
Raiders Drop to 1-4
Release Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.
Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.
Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But between AJ Brown and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their roles, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a D that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. What happened to the joy?
Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.
Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was crazy.”
Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?
MVP of the week
Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, substituting for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|