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We’re past the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a good idea of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the fifth week. Remember these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, turnovers, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years 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 Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his defense, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and company.

However, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

The issue here is one moment: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next year, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest led to Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But between AJ Brown and the other receiver showing frustration with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. 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 average rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

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