Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Who is most miserable after five weeks of the NFL season?

We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which suggests we have a good idea of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Remember these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, giveaways, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his D, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the running back, and the rest.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played regardless of 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. A trio of games without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next season, if he can remain healthy. 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.

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the latest contest led to Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But between the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are sharing the best record in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you attempted. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, 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 really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week


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

Mark Castro
Mark Castro

A seasoned entrepreneur and startup advisor with over a decade of experience in tech innovation and business growth.