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We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a good idea of the direction of most teams. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after Week 5. Remember these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor 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 check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, giveaways, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution 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-less streak of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is embarrassing 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 terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and company.

Still, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into this season, the schedule 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 remains a rare positive in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But between the wideout and the other receiver being disgruntled with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are sharing the top mark in their conference. Why the long faces?

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 middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn't imagine this setback if you tried. Since this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory 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 a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

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