New York Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Which team is most miserable after the first five weeks of the campaign?

We are beyond the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a good idea of the direction of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have vanished after Week 5. Remember these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, mistakes, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner 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 tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in team history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the running back, and company.

However, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the optimism gauge is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the second week. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back next season, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the present year, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But among the star receiver and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their roles, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are sharing the leading standing in their conference. What happened to the joy?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

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

Player of the Week

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