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We are beyond the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a solid understanding of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting 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 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with penalties, mistakes, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of over a decade is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in franchise history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the running back, and company.

Still, Jackson is expected back in the coming weeks, they play in a softer division and their upcoming slate is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

The issue here is 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, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, performing well with no positive results. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next year, if he can stay fit. But merely a month into the current campaign, the season 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: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be a rare positive in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Indianapolis was more proof of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller 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 fifth game produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but Plan A – being all in on 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 current title holders. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the end of questionable rulings and are tied for the best record in their conference. Where are the smiles?

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 terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you wanted to. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. 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. Dowdle, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|