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We’re past the quarter mark of the NFL season, which indicates we have a good idea of the path of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have vanished after Week 5. Note that these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ supposed strength, their defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with infractions, mistakes, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

Despair Index: 9/10 – What is Aaron Glenn's future?

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, 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 team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a big day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the near future, 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 played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

Despair Index: 6/10 - The division is still within reach.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from one moment: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s almost painful to watch two top pass-catchers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, performing well with no positive results. Chase hauled in two huge touchdowns and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the majority of their work once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next year, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the season looks essentially finished 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 few good things in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And admittedly, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But amid the star receiver and the other receiver showing frustration with their roles, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the city’s continued skepticism about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Yes, Sunday’s collapse was concerning: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are equal with the best record in their league. Where are the smiles?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 defeat to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A goalline fumble from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this loss if you tried. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

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

Player of the Week

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The ball carrier, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|