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We are beyond the first quarter of the NFL season, which means we have a clear picture of the path of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, giveaways, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the running back, and the rest.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is one moment: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Several weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, performing well with no positive results. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next season, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Free Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two picks in the fifth game led to Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are tied for the top mark in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you attempted. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Glendale these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

Top Performer

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