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We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling 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 defeat to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, mistakes, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. 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?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, Nick Chubb, and company.

However, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is soft, so optimism remains. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase caught two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns next season, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into the present year, the schedule looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But between the wideout and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their situations, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are equal with the top mark in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory 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 ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

Player of the Week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, substituting for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|