🔗 Share this article

We’re past the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the path of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the latest round of games. Remember these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, turnovers, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson 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 hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the running back, and the rest.

Still, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is soft, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the current campaign, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the few good things in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the poor combination of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the fifth game led to Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But between the star receiver and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their situations, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to debated officiating and are equal with the top mark in their NFC. 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 mediocre rather than terrible, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was insane.”

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

Top Performer

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|