🔗 Share this article

We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a good idea of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the fifth week. Note that these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team 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 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 numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners 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

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have played 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.

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back next season, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the latest contest led to Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But among the wideout and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are equal with the best record in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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 middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you tried. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. 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, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|