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We’re past the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the direction of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after the fifth week. Remember these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, mistakes, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: 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?

Baltimore Ravens (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 team history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, 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 their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is soft, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, making plays with no positive results. Chase hauled in two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football relies so heavily on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the season looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in Week 5 led to Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But between the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are equal with the leading standing in their league. Why the long faces?

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 average rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this loss if you attempted. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|