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We have passed the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which indicates we have a clear picture of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the fifth week. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the worst teams 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 greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal 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 far more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, mistakes, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his D, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and their teammates.

Still, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This situation stems from one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the present year, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the few good things in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the head coach in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in the fifth game produced Indianapolis TDs. We’re not sure what the backup plan is, but Plan A – 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 reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But between AJ Brown and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their situations, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are sharing the top mark 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 average rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The ball carrier, substituting for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|