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We have passed the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after Week 5. Note that these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the season opener. 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’ supposed strength, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the running back, and the rest.

However, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is soft, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the health 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 just five games into this season, the season looks all but over 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 continues to be a rare positive in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two picks in the latest contest produced Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure 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.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But among AJ Brown and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their situations, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their league. 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 terrible, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, filling in for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|