New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? What squad is the unhappiest after the first five weeks of the NFL season?

We have passed the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, mistakes, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, Nick Chubb, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, making plays with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in the latest contest produced Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But amid the wideout and the other receiver showing frustration with their roles, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown 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. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are equal with the best record in their conference. Why the long faces?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this setback if you wanted to. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was insane.”

Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?

MVP of the week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|