We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the direction of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.
New York Jets (0-5)
The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, giveaways, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.
Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?
Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4
Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and the rest.
Still, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is soft, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
Bengals Fall to 2-3
The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.
No organization in football hinges on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next season, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the schedule looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.
Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the latest contest produced Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.
Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.
Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the other receiver being disgruntled with their situations, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are tied for the leading standing in their NFC. Why the long faces?
Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.
Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was insane.”
Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?
Player of the Week
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|
