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We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which suggests we have a solid understanding of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the fifth week. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. 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 far more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, giveaways, weak O-line performance, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their playoff-less streak of 14 years is the longest in the NFL. 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 tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is humiliating and even a star like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defense, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is awful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the running back, and their teammates.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the second week. Three weeks without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with no positive results. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football hinges on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the present year, the season looks practically done for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was more proof of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two picks in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the alternative is, but the current approach – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But between AJ Brown and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their positions, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. Still, they were on the receiving side of questionable rulings and are sharing the best record in their NFC. Why the long faces?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Mention-Worthy: 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 incompetent. A goalline fumble from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this loss if you tried. Considering this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

MVP of the week

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