New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Which team is the unhappiest after five weeks of the campaign?

We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the path of the majority of squads. So let’s celebrate the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after Week 5. Keep in mind these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are largely playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been greatest underachievers.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been crushing setbacks, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defensive unit, became the first 0-5 unit with no forced turnovers in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers, subpar blocking, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Somehow the Jets are declining each game. If that weren't sufficient this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could last a long time.

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

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 biggest home loss in team history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

However, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to a single play: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase grabbed two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Release Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the signal-caller 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 latest contest led to Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what Plan B is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

Suffering Score: 7/10 – Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must adjust quickly.

Wildcard alert! 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 star receiver and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles blew a two-score advantage to Denver in the final period thanks to five penalties, an O that disappeared, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by the opposing strategist. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are tied for the top mark in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn’t concoct this setback if you attempted. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. 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

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