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We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a clear picture of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after the fifth week. Note that these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, mistakes, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, 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 shameful and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the running back, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is nearly depleted.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next season, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into this season, 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

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But amid the star receiver and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their situations, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the subject to debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you attempted. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

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