New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? What squad is feeling the worst after the first five weeks of the NFL season?

We are beyond the quarter mark of the professional football season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the path of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the latest round of games. Keep in mind these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, mistakes, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the worst home loss in team history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the running back, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the talented wideout, performing well with no positive results. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and 110 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 game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next season, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the present year, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the few good things in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the latest contest led to Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the backup plan 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.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the other receiver showing frustration with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are equal with the leading standing in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this loss if you tried. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?

Player of the Week


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

Kimberly Johnston
Kimberly Johnston

A retail and lifestyle enthusiast with a passion for sharing urban experiences and consumer trends.