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We’re past the first quarter of the NFL season, which suggests we have a clear picture of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after Week 5. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, turnovers, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and their teammates.

However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is manageable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one moment: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss 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 backup, Jake Browning, 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. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the current campaign, the campaign looks all but over 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 is still one of the few good things in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest led to Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what the alternative is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among the wideout and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their situations, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing in their conference. Why the long faces?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|