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We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after the fifth week. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, mistakes, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. 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

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and company.

However, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is manageable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase caught two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the well-being 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 comes back the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the current campaign, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still a rare positive in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But among the wideout and the other receiver being disgruntled with their situations, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are sharing the top mark in their conference. What happened to the joy?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this loss if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

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