🔗 Share this article

We have passed the first quarter of the NFL season, which means we have a good idea of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard winning field goal 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’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, mistakes, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and company.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is manageable, 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 catastrophic injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next season, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into this season, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But amid the wideout and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are equal with the leading standing in their NFC. Why the long faces?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

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