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We have passed the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a good idea of the trajectory of most teams. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Remember these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets epitomize football suffering. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard winning field goal 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 numbers imply. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, giveaways, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their postseason absence of over a decade is the longest in the NFL. And with one of the worst owners in the league, it could persist indefinitely.

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

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Certainly, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson’s absence. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in franchise history – is humiliating and even a talent like Jackson can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which admittedly has been plagued by health issues, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a field day for the Texans' passer, the Browns' star, and their teammates.

However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so there's still a chance. But considering how messy the Ravens have performed with or without Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.

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 catastrophic injury 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 the talented wideout, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in a pair of big scores and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Meanwhile, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three turnovers on Sunday sank the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow is back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But only five weeks into the current campaign, the schedule looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Colts was more proof of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and the sideline leader in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis scores. It's unclear what the backup plan 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.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the current title holders. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But between the star receiver and the pass-catcher expressing dissatisfaction with their roles, followers' criticism about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Indeed, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their conference. Why the long faces?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from Emari Demercado, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown prematurely, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this loss if you attempted. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” 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?

Player of the Week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. The ball carrier, substituting for the injured Chuba Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|