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We’re past the first quarter of the NFL season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory 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 Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, giveaways, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

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 being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the running back, and company.

Still, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is soft, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns next year, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains a rare positive in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative 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.

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But amid the wideout and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the end of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Given that 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,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?

Top Performer

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|