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We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a good idea of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the fifth week. Note that these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the running back, and company.

However, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is soft, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, performing well with no positive results. Chase caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the health 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 returns the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be a rare positive in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was more proof of the poor combination of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 led to Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the current approach – 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)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But amid the wideout and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their roles, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are equal with the best record in their conference. What happened to the joy?

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 embarrassing 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this setback if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

MVP of the week

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