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We have passed the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the direction of most teams. So let’s examine the teams whose good vibes have vanished after Week 5. Note that these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a clutch 60-yard kick for the Steelers in the first game. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their D, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, subpar blocking, ineffective short-yardage play and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough this has been a recurring issue: their playoff drought of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Sure, 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 franchise history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber isn’t going to tip the scales if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and company.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a softer division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have executed with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter is running on fumes.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while notable in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No franchise in football relies so heavily on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into this season, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 demolition to the Colts was further evidence of the poor combination of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis scores. We’re not sure what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And yes, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But among the star receiver and the other receiver being disgruntled with their roles, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an attack that vanished, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the end of debated officiating and are tied for the top mark in their NFC. Why the long faces?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the formerly victory-less Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the running back, who prematurely celebrated a long run prematurely, followed by a botched interception that ended in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their prior defeats, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. 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?

MVP of the week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|