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We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which indicates we have a good idea of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have vanished after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, turnovers, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in team history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.

Still, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or without Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one moment: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, making plays with no positive results. Chase caught two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished 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 is still one of the few good things in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the latest contest produced Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their league. Why the long faces?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. 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?

Player of the Week

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