New York Jets, Ravens … Philadelphia Eagles? Who is the unhappiest after Week 5 of the campaign?

We are beyond the 25% point of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a solid understanding of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have vanished after Week 5. Keep in mind these might not be the worst teams in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, 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 defeat 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 takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, giveaways, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their postseason absence of 14 seasons is the league's lengthiest. And with a poorly-regarded owner 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 simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in franchise history – is embarrassing and even a star like Jackson can't overcome everything if his D, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for the Texans' passer, the running back, and the rest.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so there's still a chance. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed with or sans Jackson, the confidence level 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 the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, making plays with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But only five weeks into this season, the season looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

Misery rating: 6/10 – Once again, Bengals fans are left to wonder at what could have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the poor combination of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in Week 5 led to Indianapolis TDs. Nobody knows what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a hard-to-watch situation.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But among the star receiver and the other receiver showing frustration with their positions, fan complaints about their underperforming O and the local doubt about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are tied for the top mark in their conference. 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 mediocre rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 defeat to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who assumed he had scored prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this defeat if you wanted to. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there is little celebration in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was insane.”

Misery rating: 3/10 – Is Kyler Murray still the future?

Top Performer

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