Jets, Ravens … Eagles? What squad is feeling the worst after the first five weeks of the NFL season?

We have passed the first quarter of the NFL season, which suggests we have a clear picture of the path of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after the latest round of games. Note that these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, turnovers, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.

Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have performed with or without Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This situation stems from one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, making plays with no positive results. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the well-being of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next year, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the few good things in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was another demonstration of the poor combination of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine picks. His two picks in Week 5 produced Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among the star receiver and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their positions, supporter grievances about their underperforming O and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. More surprising outcomes exist. However, 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.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than awful, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a botched interception that resulted in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their prior defeats, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

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