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We have passed the first quarter of the National Football League campaign, which means we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s highlight the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are poor but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal 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 defense, became the first 0-5 unit with no takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with flags, turnovers, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are declining each game. If that wasn’t enough this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 seasons 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?

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Sure, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in team history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is godawful. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a productive outing for CJ Stroud, Nick Chubb, and their teammates.

However, Jackson is expected back in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But considering how messy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the optimism gauge is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This one boils down to a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. Several weeks without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and Tee Higgins, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to one of the league’s best teams, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the majority of their work once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, Jake Browning, while impressive in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No franchise in football depends so much on the fitness of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can avoid injury. But merely a month into this season, the schedule 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)

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be a rare positive in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing 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 the latest contest produced Indianapolis scores. Nobody knows what the alternative is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

Misery rating: 7/10 – OC Chip Kelly needs to change course ASAP.

Unexpected Mention: Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And yes, they have lost just twice in 22 games. But among the wideout and the other receiver showing frustration with their situations, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about head coach Nick Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s breakdown was alarming: the Eagles lost a significant margin to Denver in the last quarter thanks to multiple flags, an offense that faded horribly, and a Vic Fangio defense that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the receiving side of some controversial calls and are sharing the best record in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Mention-Worthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than miserable, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A fumble at the goal line from the running back, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this defeat if you attempted. Since this, and their previous two losses, 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 uncertain. I'm completely baffled. That’s ‘How to Lose a Game 101.’ I can't explain. It was crazy.”

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

Top Performer

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle. The ball carrier, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|