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We have passed the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the fifth week. Note that these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee 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 only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. 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 defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, giveaways, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head 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

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the running back, and company.

However, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is soft, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one moment: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, making plays with no positive results. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into this season, 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 (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the fifth game produced Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what Plan B 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.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But between AJ Brown and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the end of debated officiating and are equal with the top mark in their conference. What happened to the joy?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you attempted. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, substituting for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|