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We’re past the first quarter of the NFL season, which means we have a clear picture of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after the fifth week. Note that these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Ravens Sink to 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 most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, the running back, and their teammates.

However, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, making plays with no positive results. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the present year, the season looks practically done 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

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two picks in the latest contest produced Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But between the star receiver and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their roles, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|