New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? What squad is most miserable after Week 5 of the season?

We have passed the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the direction of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after the fifth week. Keep in mind these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, turnovers, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, Nick Chubb, and the rest.

However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and the talented wideout, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football relies so heavily on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into the present year, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still a rare positive in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was more proof of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in the fifth game led to Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have only been defeated twice in 22 outings. But among the star receiver and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are tied for the best record in their league. Why the long faces?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this setback if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was crazy.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

MVP of the week

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