🔗 Share this article

We have passed the quarter mark of the NFL season, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have vanished after the latest round of games. Note that these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. 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’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. 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 weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and company.

Still, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge 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 a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into this season, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the alternative is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But between the wideout and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing in their conference. Where are the smiles?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this setback if you wanted to. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?

MVP of the week

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