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We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which means we have a solid understanding of the direction of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have disappeared after the latest round of games. Note that these are not exactly the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are generally playing as expected) 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 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. 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’ presumed asset, their defense, became the initial winless squad with no takeaways in professional football annals. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, turnovers, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that weren't sufficient this has been a recurring issue: their playoff-less streak of over a decade is the league's lengthiest. 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?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But 44-10 – the biggest home loss in Ravens history – is embarrassing and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his defense, which in fairness has been ravaged by injuries, is awful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a field day for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their upcoming slate is manageable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the hope-o-meter is nearly depleted.

Suffering Score: 6/10 - The AFC North remains up for grabs.

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Several weeks without Burrow has resulted in a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase hauled in two major TDs and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to an elite squad, the Detroit. But Cincinnati’s O did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, Jake Browning, while impressive in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football relies so heavily on the well-being of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back next year, if he can stay fit. But just five games into the current campaign, the schedule looks practically done for Cincinnati.

Suffering Score: 6/10 – Bengals supporters are again pondering what might have been.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Release Maxx Crosby, who continues to be a rare positive in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was more proof of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two turnovers in the fifth game produced Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

Despair Index: 7/10 – Chip Kelly's offense requires immediate changes.

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the defending champions. And of course, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 games. But amid AJ Brown and the other receiver showing frustration with their positions, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the local doubt about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s collapse was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a two-score advantage to Denver in the last quarter thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a D that was pummeled and outsmarted by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who celebrated a 72-yard would be touchdown early, followed by a muffed pick that resulted in a opposing TD cost Arizona the game. You couldn't invent this setback if you tried. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on game-winning field goals, there can’t be much joy in Glendale these days. “I'm not sure how to process that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I don’t even know. I'm completely baffled. That's a textbook example of losing. I'm not sure. It was crazy.”

Suffering Score: 3/10 – Does Kyler Murray remain the franchise QB?

Player of the Week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, substituting for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|