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We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the latest round of games. Keep in mind these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are poor but are generally 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 hitting a 60-yard game-winner 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’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, mistakes, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow is back next year, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and DeVonta Smith being disgruntled with their positions, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a D that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the top mark in their NFC. 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 average rather than awful, but their shameful 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that led to a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you attempted. Given that 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 signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

Despair Index: 3/10 – Is Murray the long-term answer?

Top Performer

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