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We have passed the 25% point of the NFL season, which suggests we have a good idea of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after Week 5. Note that these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers, weak O-line performance, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of 14 years 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

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and company.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so optimism remains. But considering how messy the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the present year, the season looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still a rare positive in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two picks in the fifth game produced Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But between the star receiver and the other receiver being disgruntled with their roles, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, 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 tied for the top mark in their conference. 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 humiliating 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. Dowdle, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|