New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? Which team is feeling the worst after the first five weeks of the campaign?
We’re past the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
New York Jets: Winless 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 drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, mistakes, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Ravens Sink to 1-4
Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his D, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, 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 soft, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge 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 one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the outcome was decided. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No franchise in football hinges on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into this season, the campaign looks all but over 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 is still one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in Week 5 produced Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what Plan B is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Yes, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a D that was beaten and outthought by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the top mark in their league. Why the long faces?
Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.
Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this setback if you attempted. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy 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 insane.”
Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?
Top Performer
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|