🔗 Share this article

We are beyond the quarter mark of the NFL season, which means we have a good idea of the path of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the fifth week. Keep in mind these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. 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’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and the rest.

However, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the talented wideout, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the present year, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the few good things in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But among the wideout and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a D that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are tied for the best record in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this setback if you wanted to. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was insane.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

Player of the Week

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The running back, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|