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We are beyond the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a good idea of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Keep in mind these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, mistakes, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is soft, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This one boils down to one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next year, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into this season, the season looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two picks in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among AJ Brown and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their roles, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the subject to debated officiating and are sharing the top mark in their league. Where are the smiles?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

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