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We have passed the quarter mark of the NFL season, which suggests we have a clear picture of the direction of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. 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

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have performed with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the present year, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows 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 admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But among the wideout and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was alarming: the Eagles blew a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, 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 subject to debated officiating and are equal with the leading standing in their NFC. 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 middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a botched interception that led to a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The running back, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|