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We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which suggests we have a clear picture of the path of many franchises. So let’s examine the teams whose optimistic outlook have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Titans and Browns, for example, are awful but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets (0-5)

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been heartbreaking defeats, starting with Chris Boswell hitting a 60-yard game-winner 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 final score indicates. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no forced turnovers in league history. The Jets continue to make costly mistakes with infractions, turnovers, poor offensive line play, lack of fourth-down execution and poor sideline leadership. Somehow the Jets are deteriorating weekly. If that didn't suffice this has been going on for years: their playoff drought of 14 seasons is the most extended in football. And with a poorly-regarded owner in the league, it could last a long time.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Certainly, it’s tempting to attribute 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 won't single-handedly change things if his defensive unit, which to be fair 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 Houston's QB, the running back, and the rest.

Nevertheless, Jackson will probably return in the next few weeks, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is manageable, so all hope is not lost. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have performed with or without Jackson, the confidence level is close to empty.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

The issue here is a single play: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, the star receiver and the other starting receiver, doing their thing with little to celebrate. Chase grabbed a pair of big scores and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 defeat to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did most of the damage once the result was beyond doubt. At the same time, Burrow’s stand-in, the substitute QB, while promising in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the health of an individual like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will note the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow comes back the following campaign, if he can remain healthy. But just five games into the current campaign, the schedule looks all but over for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Free Maxx Crosby, who is still one of the only bright spots in a strange period of Las Vegas struggles. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the poor combination of the signal-caller and the head coach in the desert. Smith has been a giveaway factory, ranking first this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in the latest contest resulted in Indianapolis TDs. It's unclear what the backup plan is, but Plan A – being fully committed to Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Indeed, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 contests. But between AJ Brown and the pass-catcher being disgruntled with their roles, followers' criticism about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were 0-5. Indeed, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an O that disappeared, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their league. What happened to the joy?

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 awful, but their shameful 22-21 defeat 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 fumbled Cardinals interception that resulted in a Titans touchdown 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 can’t be much joy in Arizona these days. “I don’t really know what to think about that,” the signal-caller said after the game. “I'm uncertain. I truly don't understand. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was insane.”

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

MVP of the week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The running back, replacing the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|