🔗 Share this article

We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a good idea of the direction of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these might not be the most terrible squads 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 greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, giveaways, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his D, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and the rest.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the talented wideout, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase caught two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the outcome was decided. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next season, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the present year, 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

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two picks in the fifth game produced Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But amid AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the end of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a botched interception that led to a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this loss if you wanted to. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was insane.”

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

Top Performer

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The running back, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|