New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? Which team is the unhappiest after the first five weeks of the season?

We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner 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 far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, mistakes, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head 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 tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the running back, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is soft, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase caught two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back next year, if he can stay fit. But just five games into this season, 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 continues to be a rare positive in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was further evidence of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 produced Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But amid the star receiver and the other receiver being disgruntled with their positions, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are equal with the leading standing in their league. 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 middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you tried. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

Player of the Week


Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, substituting for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|

Kelly Martinez
Kelly Martinez

A culinary enthusiast with over a decade of experience in food technology and appliance testing, passionate about helping home cooks achieve perfection.