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We’re past the quarter mark of the NFL season, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the path of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Remember these aren’t necessarily the worst teams 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.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests 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 defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, mistakes, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his D, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is manageable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. 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 Tee Higgins, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, 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 is still a rare positive in a strange period 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 the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But amid AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are equal with the best record in their league. Why the long faces?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning 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 really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

MVP of the week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, filling in for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|