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We are beyond the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily 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 most disappointing.

Jets Remain 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 winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, giveaways, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Admittedly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, the Browns' star, and the rest.

However, Jackson is expected back in the next few weeks, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. A trio of games without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, performing well with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s replacement, the substitute QB, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a turnover machine, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But among the wideout and DeVonta Smith showing frustration with their positions, supporter grievances about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are sharing the best record in their conference. Why the long faces?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a opposing TD sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this loss if you wanted to. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

MVP of the week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|