Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Who is feeling the worst after the first five weeks of the NFL season?

We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after Week 5. Note that these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, turnovers, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in Ravens 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 Browns' star, and the rest.

Still, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, making plays with no positive results. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next year, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into this season, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two picks in the latest contest led to Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But between the star receiver and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their situations, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their conference. 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 mediocre rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week


Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, substituting for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|

Daniel Oconnor
Daniel Oconnor

Financial analyst with over a decade of experience in Dutch banking sectors, specializing in market trends and regulatory changes.