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We are beyond the first quarter of the NFL season, which means we have a good idea of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Remember these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. 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 one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, turnovers, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

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 a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

However, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their future games is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the current campaign, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of the quarterback and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in the fifth game produced Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But among the star receiver and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their situations, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are tied for the best record in their conference. Where are the smiles?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was insane.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

Player of the Week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, substituting for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|