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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 direction of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, turnovers, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their postseason absence 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?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the running back, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is soft, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the present year, the schedule looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the fifth game led to Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But amid AJ Brown and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are sharing the top mark in their conference. 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 awful, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you tried. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

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