We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the direction of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.
The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.
Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?
Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and company.
Still, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is soft, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.
Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.
This one boils down to one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while promising 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. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next season, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into the current campaign, the schedule looks practically done for Cincinnati.
Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.
Release Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.
Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.
Indeed, they’re the current title holders. 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, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their NFC. What happened to the joy?
Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.
The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you attempted. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”
Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?
Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, replacing the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|
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