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We have passed the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a clear picture of the direction of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after the fifth week. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. 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 blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in league history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, mistakes, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. 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: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is soft, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to one moment: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and the talented wideout, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, 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 one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next season, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be a rare positive in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear 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)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But between the star receiver and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are sharing the top mark in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was insane.”

Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?

Top Performer

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|