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We’re past the quarter mark of the NFL season, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the latest round of games. Remember these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the first 0-5 team with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.

Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, making plays with no positive results. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while notable 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 one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow returns next year, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month 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 (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the few good things in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the fifth game produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But among the wideout and the other receiver showing frustration with their situations, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are equal with the leading standing in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this setback if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

MVP of the week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The ball carrier, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|