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We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the fifth week. Remember these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, mistakes, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, 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 CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the confidence level 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 incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the final period 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 health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next year, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into the present year, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the current approach – 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)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But between the wideout and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their situations, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing in their conference. What happened to the joy?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

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