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We’re past the 25% point of the NFL season, which means we have a clear picture of the direction of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely 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 epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, 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 going on for years: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected 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 based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, doing their thing with no positive results. 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 O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next season, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into this season, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what the backup plan 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)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But between the star receiver and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are sharing the top mark in their conference. Where are the smiles?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you wanted to. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

Top Performer

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, replacing the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|