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We have passed the 25% point of the NFL season, which indicates we have a good idea of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the fifth week. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, 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 not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, mistakes, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

However, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is soft, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the present year, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two picks in the latest contest led to Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but Plan A – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the other receiver showing frustration with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a defensive scheme that was beaten and outthought by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are sharing the top mark in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a Tennessee score did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this setback if you wanted to. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The running back, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|