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We are beyond the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a clear picture of the direction of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win 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 Week 1. 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’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, mistakes, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head 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

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defense, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, the running back, and company.

However, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back next season, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the present year, the campaign 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: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be a rare positive in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the current approach – being fully committed to 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)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But amid the star receiver and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are tied for the top mark in their league. Why the long faces?

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 shameful 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a botched interception that led to a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was insane.”

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

MVP of the week

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