New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? What squad is the unhappiest after five weeks of the campaign?
We have passed the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a good idea of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.
Jets Remain at 0-5
The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, turnovers, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4
Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which in fairness 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 field day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and their teammates.
Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.
Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.
Bengals Fall to 2-3
This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the talented wideout, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase caught two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No organization in football relies so heavily on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next year, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.
Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the few good things in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of Geno Smith and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in Week 5 produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Certainly, 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 being disgruntled with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the end of debated officiating and are tied for the leading standing in their league. Why the long faces?
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 mediocre rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a botched interception that ended in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this loss if you tried. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning 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 confused. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was crazy.”
Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?
Player of the Week
Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, filling in for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|