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We’re past the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a good idea of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads 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 biggest letdowns.

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 devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, turnovers, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the running back, and the rest.

Still, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase caught a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back next year, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into this season, the schedule looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof 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 picks in the latest contest led to Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

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 between AJ Brown and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are equal with the leading standing in their conference. 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 middle-of-the-road rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this loss if you wanted to. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was unbelievable.”

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

MVP of the week

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