New York Jets, Ravens … Eagles? What squad is most miserable after the first five weeks of the NFL season?

We’re past the quarter mark of the professional football season, 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 evaporated after the latest round of games. 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 largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, giveaways, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and their teammates.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, making plays with no positive results. Chase hauled in two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back next season, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the current campaign, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still a rare positive in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of the quarterback and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But amid the star receiver and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are equal with the leading standing in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Tennessee score did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback 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 insane.”

Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?

Player of the Week

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