Rotten apples: The five most unwatchable teams in the NFL

Pity the poor New York fans. The Jets and Giants — who are a combined 8-16 — are among the five most unwatchable NFL teams this season. Our rotten apples aren't solely losing teams, though. A team with a winning record has made the unwatchable cut, too.

5) New York Jets (4-8)

Why unwatchable: New York's offense stinks, averaging 14.3 points — the third-lowest figure in the NFL. The only bright spot is the defense, which is allowing the ninth-fewest yards per game (312.7) in the league. 

The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations, but those disappeared when QB Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury on the fourth snap of his debut. If New York had strung enough wins together in Rodgers' absence, he may have made an unprecedented comeback for a playoff push.  

Most unwatchable player | QB Zach Wilson: After Rodgers' injury, the team turned to Wilson, who only underscored the perception he is a first-round bust. He threw for 1,944 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games before the Jets benched him in Week 12. He may still be the best quarterback on the roster, but that's more of a discredit to the others than a credit to him. 

Last offseason, a former NFL scout said Wilson looked "overwhelmed." He still does.

4) Carolina Panthers (1-11)

Why unwatchable: Few predicted the Panthers would fight for a division title this season, but Carolina hasn't even come close to reaching the already low expectations many had for it entering the season. The Panthers have the third-worst offense in yards per game (267.3) and fourth worst in points per game (15.9).

If they finish with the NFL's worst record, the Panthers won't get the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — they traded their first-rounder to Chicago in a deal to move up to select QB Bryce Young with the first overall pick in the 2023 draft. So, unless Carolina hits it big in free agency and the draft, this team could be bad for a while. 

Most unwatchable player | QB Bryce Young: The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 has underwhelmed, throwing for 2,055 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions (including two pick-sixes to Colts standout Kenny Moore). It's too early to call him a bust, especially due to the lack of weapons he has, but great players raise the level of play of those around them. Young hasn't.

3) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

Why unwatchable: The Steelers are the only team with a winning record on this list, but they are winning ugly. After they fired highly criticized offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who orchestrated a terrible offense, Pittsburgh showed more offensively, putting up 421 yards against the Bengals. The offense, however, looked dreadful again in a loss to the Cardinals in Week 13. The Steelers are averaging the fifth-fewest points per game (16) in the league.

The Steelers are so difficult to watch at times that some Pittsburgh media are calling for a trade of widely respected head coach Mike Tomlin, whose team hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season.