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We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after Week 5. Note that these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain 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 drilling a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame 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 isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is manageable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has resulted in 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 caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while notable in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the present year, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in Week 5 led to Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid the star receiver and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their roles, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are equal with the leading standing in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was insane.”

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

MVP of the week

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