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We have passed the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a good idea of the direction of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are largely playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

However, Jackson should be back 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 played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the present year, the schedule looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But amid the wideout and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their roles, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their conference. What happened to the joy?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this setback if you attempted. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning field goals, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory 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'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|