Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? Who is most miserable after Week 5 of the NFL season?
We are beyond the 25% point of the NFL season, which means we have a good idea of the path of most teams. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after Week 5. Remember 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 biggest letdowns.
Jets Remain at 0-5
The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. 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 score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, mistakes, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Ravens Sink to 1-4
Certainly, 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 star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and the rest.
Still, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.
Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.
Bengals Fall to 2-3
This one boils down to one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, performing well with no positive results. Chase grabbed two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating 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 backup, the backup passer, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.
No team in football relies so heavily on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into the current campaign, the schedule looks practically done 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 one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Yes, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But among AJ Brown and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their roles, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are tied for the top mark in their NFC. Where are the smiles?
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 miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this loss if you tried. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”
Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?
Top Performer
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, substituting for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|