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We’re past the first quarter of the NFL season, which suggests we have a good idea of the path of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, mistakes, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of 14 years is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.

Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the running back, and the rest.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a softer division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This situation stems from one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back next year, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 led to Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But amid AJ Brown and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their positions, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are tied for the best record in their NFC. 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 middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a botched interception that ended in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|