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We are beyond the first quarter of the professional football season, which means we have a good idea of the path of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after the fifth week. Remember these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell nailing 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 score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is soft, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while notable in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next year, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 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 rout to the Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in Week 5 produced Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid AJ Brown and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are equal with the best record in their league. Where are the smiles?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

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