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We are beyond the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the latest round of games. Remember these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the worst home loss in team history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is soft, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into this season, the schedule 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 is still a rare positive in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – 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)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But amid the star receiver and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to debated officiating and are tied for the leading standing in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the running back, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|