We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the fifth week. Note that these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.
New York Jets: Winless at 0-5
The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal 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 final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.
Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?
Ravens Sink to 1-4
Certainly, 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 team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.
Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.
Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
The issue here is one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, performing well with no positive results. Chase caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.
No team in football relies so heavily on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into this season, the schedule looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.
Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.
Raiders Drop to 1-4
Free Maxx Crosby, who remains 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 sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the latest contest led to Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.
Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.
Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But among the star receiver and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their roles, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the subject to some controversial calls 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.
Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was insane.”
Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?
MVP of the week
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, filling in for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|
