🔗 Share this article

We are beyond the quarter mark of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the latest round of games. Remember these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners 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

Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his D, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next season, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who is still a rare positive in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and the sideline leader 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 alternative is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But between the star receiver and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their situations, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the top mark in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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 middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that led to a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you tried. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

MVP of the week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The ball carrier, filling in for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|