New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? What squad is the unhappiest after the first five weeks of the campaign?

We are beyond the first quarter of the professional football season, which suggests we have a good idea of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the fifth week. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as projected) 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 epitomize football suffering. 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 defense, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which in fairness has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and the rest.

However, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has led to multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase caught two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can stay fit. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was more proof of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and the sideline leader in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But between the star receiver and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their conference. Why the long faces?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this loss if you tried. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I really don’t even know. 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

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|