Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? What squad is the unhappiest after Week 5 of the season?
We have passed the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after the latest round of games. Remember these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
Jets Remain at 0-5
The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.
Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?
Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4
Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his D, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.
However, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.
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 the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while notable in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.
No team in football depends so much on the health of one player 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 merely a month into the present year, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.
Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.
Raiders Drop to 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But amid the star receiver and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their roles, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their conference. Why the long faces?
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 average rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you wanted to. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”
Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?
Player of the Week
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|