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We are beyond the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the path of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the fifth week. Keep in mind these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their D, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and the rest.

However, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

Misery rating: 6/10 - The Steelers probably won’t run away with the division.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over 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 one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the latest contest led to Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But between AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their roles, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are tied for the best record in their conference. 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 mediocre rather than awful, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a botched interception that ended in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this loss if you wanted to. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

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

Top Performer

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