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We have passed the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a good idea of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless 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 nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their D, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, mistakes, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the talented wideout, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the health of an individual 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 remain healthy. But merely a month into this season, the schedule looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in Week 5 produced Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But between AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction 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 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing in their league. Where are the smiles?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this setback if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

Top Performer

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