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We are beyond the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the fifth week. Remember these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, mistakes, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. 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?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the running back, and the rest.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is soft, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns next year, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into this season, 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

Release Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the few good things in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two picks in the latest contest led to Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But between the wideout and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the end of debated officiating and are tied for the leading standing in their conference. What happened to the joy?

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 awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this defeat if you attempted. Since 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 quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

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