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We have passed the 25% point of the NFL season, which indicates we have a good idea of the trajectory of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after the latest round of games. Remember these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (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 hitting a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided 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 make costly mistakes with flags, turnovers, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the running back, and their teammates.

However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s almost painful to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the substitute QB, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football hinges on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next year, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who remains a rare positive in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two turnovers in the fifth game led to Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on 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 admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 outings. But between the star receiver and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their roles, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the Broncos' coach. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are equal with the top mark in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you tried. Since 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,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

Player of the Week

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