New York Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Who is most miserable after the first five weeks of the season?

We are beyond the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after Week 5. Note that these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, mistakes, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.

Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his D, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and company.

However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the current campaign, the season 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

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains a rare positive in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But among AJ Brown and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are tied for the best record in their league. Why the long faces?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this loss if you wanted to. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, 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'm not sure. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

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