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

We have passed the first quarter of the NFL season, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the latest round of games. Note that these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless 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 drilling 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 not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up 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 player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his D, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, Nick Chubb, and company.

However, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is soft, so optimism remains. But considering how messy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase caught a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns next year, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over 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 is still one of the few good things in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But among AJ Brown and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to debated officiating and are equal with the leading standing in their NFC. Why the long faces?

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 terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

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

Player of the Week

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, replacing the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|