🔗 Share this article

We’re past the quarter mark of the NFL season, which means we have a good idea of the path of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the latest round of games. Note that these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, mistakes, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness 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.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so optimism remains. But considering how messy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

The issue here is one moment: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, making plays with no positive results. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next year, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into this season, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the few good things in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was further evidence of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in Week 5 led to Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But among the star receiver and the other receiver being disgruntled with their situations, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was alarming: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. Why the long faces?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the running back, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this setback if you attempted. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

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