New York Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Which team is the unhappiest after the first five weeks of the NFL season?

We have passed the first quarter of the NFL season, which suggests we have a good idea of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Remember these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly 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 devastating losses, 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 numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, turnovers, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the running back, and their teammates.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: 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 of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the present year, the campaign looks all but over 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 continues to be a rare positive in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest produced Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But amid the star receiver and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their roles, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: 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. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are tied for the top mark in their league. What happened to the joy?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you attempted. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was insane.”

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

MVP of the week


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

Joshua Alvarez
Joshua Alvarez

A certified financial planner with over a decade of experience in personal finance and budgeting strategies.