🔗 Share this article

We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Remember these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

Jets Remain 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 drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, mistakes, 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 postseason absence of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next season, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the present year, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But between the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are sharing the top mark in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this setback if you attempted. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

MVP of the week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|