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We’re past the quarter mark of the NFL season, which suggests we have a good idea of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have vanished 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 expected) 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 devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. 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’ presumed asset, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, turnovers, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. 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 easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, the running back, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into this season, the schedule looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in Week 5 produced Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But between the wideout and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their conference. Why the long faces?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

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