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We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a clear picture of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the latest round of games. Remember these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets: Winless at 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’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, mistakes, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Compounding the issue, 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.

However, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next season, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into the present year, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the poor combination of the quarterback and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in Week 5 led to Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are sharing the best record in their conference. Why the long faces?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Tennessee score did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this defeat if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration 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 a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

Top Performer

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The ball carrier, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|