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We are beyond the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which suggests we have a good idea of the direction of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Keep in mind these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless 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 nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, mistakes, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

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’s absence. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a big day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and their teammates.

However, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is soft, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with no positive results. Chase caught two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next season, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the present year, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still one of the few good things in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was further evidence of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the Nevada. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest produced Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But among the wideout and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their situations, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their conference. Why the long faces?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Mention-Worthy: 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 assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this setback if you attempted. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was crazy.”

Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?

MVP of the week

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The ball carrier, substituting for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|