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We are beyond the quarter mark of the NFL season, which means we have a solid understanding of the path of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, turnovers, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their playoff drought of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in team history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which admittedly 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 Houston's QB, the running back, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a softer division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next year, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into this season, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the few good things in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the quarterback and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But between the wideout and the other receiver showing frustration with their positions, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their league. What happened to the joy?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a Tennessee score did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

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