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We are beyond the quarter mark of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the path of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have vanished after the fifth week. Remember these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and company.

However, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is soft, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, making plays with no positive results. Chase grabbed two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next year, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over 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 remains a rare positive in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But between AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their situations, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the end of debated officiating and are tied for 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 awful, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this loss if you tried. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”

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

Player of the Week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|