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We have passed the first quarter of the professional football season, which suggests we have a good idea of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after the fifth week. Remember these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, giveaways, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 seasons 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?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and company.

However, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter 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: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, making plays with no positive results. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much 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 is back next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into this season, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was more proof of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest led to Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But among the wideout and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are tied for the best record in their league. What happened to the joy?

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 mediocre rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a botched interception that led to a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this setback if you attempted. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration 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 don’t know. It was crazy.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

Top Performer

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