New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Eagles? Who is the unhappiest after the first five weeks of the season?

We have passed the first quarter of the professional football season, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the direction of many franchises. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished 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 projected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, giveaways, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the longest in the NFL. And with a controversial franchise head 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 easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in team history – is shameful and even a star like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which in fairness has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the running back, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has caused a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase caught two major TDs and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while notable in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next year, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into this season, the campaign looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the few good things in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a turnover machine, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the latest contest produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being fully committed to Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But among the star receiver and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their situations, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s breakdown was worrisome: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was beaten and outthought by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the end of debated officiating and are equal with the top mark in their NFC. Why the long faces?

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 middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a opposing TD did Arizona in. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That's a textbook example of losing. I don’t know. It was insane.”

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

MVP of the week

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