New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? Which team is feeling the worst after Week 5 of the season?

We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a good idea of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after the latest round of games. Remember these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as projected) 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 devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, turnovers, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of 14 years 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?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the worst home loss in team history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games 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.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase caught two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the few good things in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was more proof of the poor combination of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two picks in the fifth game produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the current approach – 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)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among the wideout and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their situations, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the end of debated officiating and are equal with the best record 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 miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you tried. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration 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 truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

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

Player of the Week


Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The ball carrier, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|

Dr. Beth White
Dr. Beth White

An experienced educator and digital learning specialist passionate about making online education accessible and effective for all learners.