🔗 Share this article

We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as anticipated) 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 first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and their teammates.

However, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is soft, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football relies so heavily on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into the present year, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the few good things in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But amid AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are tied for the top mark 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.

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this setback if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?

MVP of the week

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The running back, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|