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We are beyond the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a good idea of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the worst teams 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 most disappointing.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, giveaways, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners 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 easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter 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 incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the present year, the season looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the few good things in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the poor combination of the quarterback and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the fifth game led to Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But between AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their roles, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are sharing the best record in their league. Where are the smiles?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The running back, substituting for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|