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We’re past the 25% point of the NFL season, which suggests we have a good idea of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose good vibes have disappeared after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily the worst teams in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as projected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell drilling a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been routs like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, turnovers, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and lackluster coaching. Amazingly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: 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

Sure, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a talent like Jackson isn’t going to tip the scales if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for CJ Stroud, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

Still, Jackson will probably return in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, making plays with no positive results. Chase caught a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to one of the league’s best teams, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offense did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. Meanwhile, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three interceptions on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the well-being of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow is back next year, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into the present year, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains a rare positive in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two interceptions in Week 5 resulted in Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what Plan B is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But among AJ Brown and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to five penalties, an offense that faded horribly, and a defensive scheme that was dominated and outcoached by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the best record in their conference. Why the long faces?

Suffering Score: 3/10 - The atmosphere might be negative but Philadelphia will make the playoffs.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 setback to the formerly victory-less Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a muffed pick that ended in a Tennessee score cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this defeat if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Arizona 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 a textbook example of losing. I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

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