New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? Which team is most miserable after Week 5 of the season?

We are beyond the first quarter of the professional football season, which means we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Note that these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. 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 initial winless squad with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is manageable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next season, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still a rare positive in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But between AJ Brown and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are tied for the leading standing in their conference. What happened to the joy?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you attempted. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

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