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We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the fifth week. Keep in mind 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.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, the running back, and company.

However, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so optimism remains. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back next year, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the current campaign, the campaign looks practically done 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 continues to be one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being relying entirely 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)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But among the wideout and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their positions, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are tied for the leading standing in their league. Where are the smiles?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

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