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We’re past the quarter mark of the NFL season, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the fifth week. Keep in mind these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting 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 much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the worst home loss in team history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and the rest.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a softer division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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 early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into this season, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in Week 5 produced Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the alternative is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But between the star receiver and the other receiver showing frustration with their roles, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a D that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their NFC. Why the long faces?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this defeat if you tried. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

Player of the Week

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