Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Which team is the unhappiest after five weeks of the campaign?

We’re past the quarter mark of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the latest round of games. Remember these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are largely playing as projected) 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 epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, mistakes, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could continue for years.

Misery rating: 9/10 – How long is Aaron Glenn’s leash?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Sure, it’s simple to blame 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 player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his defense, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a softer division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

The issue here is one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Meanwhile, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into this season, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the latest contest led to Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid the star receiver and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their situations, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are equal with the top mark in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this loss if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The running back, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|