New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Which team is the unhappiest after the first five weeks of the NFL season?

We have passed the quarter mark of the NFL season, which suggests we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are awful but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 scoreline – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the running back, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have executed regardless of 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 situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, the star receiver and the talented wideout, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football relies so heavily on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns next year, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be a rare positive in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But among the wideout and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are sharing the best record in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I don’t know. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|