Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Which team is the unhappiest after Week 5 of the season?

We’re past the 25% point of the NFL season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the path of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, 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 not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, giveaways, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, Nick Chubb, and the rest.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still a rare positive in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the sideline leader in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the fifth game produced Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But between the wideout and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are equal with the leading standing in their league. What happened to the joy?

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 terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer


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

Rebecca Perry
Rebecca Perry

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