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We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a good idea of the path of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the latest round of games. Keep in mind these are not exactly the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as expected) 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 fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, mistakes, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the running back, and the rest.

However, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase grabbed two major TDs and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into the current campaign, 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)

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of Geno Smith and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in Week 5 produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But amid AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their roles, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s collapse was alarming: the Eagles blew a significant margin 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 Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are tied for the leading standing in their NFC. 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 mediocre rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this defeat if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

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