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We are beyond the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a good idea of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, turnovers, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the worst home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the running back, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the present year, the schedule looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the few good things in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in Week 5 produced Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid AJ Brown and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to debated officiating and are tied for the top mark in their NFC. 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 average rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you wanted to. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

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