We are beyond the 25% point of the NFL season, which indicates we have a good idea of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after the fifth week. Keep in mind these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in league history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, mistakes, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.
Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?
Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.
However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a softer division and their future games is favorable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.
Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.
This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, making plays with no positive results. Chase caught two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.
No franchise in football relies so heavily on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next season, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.
Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.
Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 led to Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.
Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.
Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But amid the wideout and the other receiver showing frustration with their situations, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are equal with the leading standing in their league. Why the long faces?
Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.
The Cardinals are average rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you wanted to. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was crazy.”
Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?
Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|
A tech enthusiast and lifestyle blogger with a passion for sharing practical insights and inspiring creativity in everyday life.
New
