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We are beyond the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a good idea of the direction of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Remember these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally 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 fit every criteria for despair. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, giveaways, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, the running back, and their teammates.

However, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight 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 this season, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was more proof of the poor combination of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But amid AJ Brown and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are tied for the top mark in their NFC. Why the long faces?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

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