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We have passed the quarter mark of the professional football season, which indicates we have a solid understanding of the direction of most teams. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have vanished after Week 5. Note that these are not exactly the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with flags, mistakes, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been happening for a long time: 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.

Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is embarrassing and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is manageable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The issue here is one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s difficult to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the talented wideout, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will highlight the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, 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)

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two picks in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But amid AJ Brown and the other receiver showing frustration with their positions, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the city’s continued skepticism about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles blew a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing in their league. Where are the smiles?

Misery rating: 3/10 - The vibes may be off but the Eagles will reach the postseason again.

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are mediocre rather than terrible, but their shameful 22-21 loss to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't imagine this setback if you wanted to. Since this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

MVP of the week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. Dowdle, replacing the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|