Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? Who is feeling the worst after the first five weeks of the season?

We are beyond the 25% point of the professional football season, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the fifth week. Keep in mind these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, mistakes, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in franchise history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is awful. Making matters worse, 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.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is favorable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed 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.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow returns next season, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the present year, the schedule looks practically done 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 is still a rare positive in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the latest contest led to Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But among AJ Brown and the other receiver being disgruntled with their positions, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are equal with the leading standing in their league. 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 awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was insane.”

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

MVP 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|