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We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which suggests we have a clear picture of the direction of the majority of squads. So let’s examine the teams whose positive energy have evaporated after the latest round of games. Note that these aren’t necessarily the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are generally playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been biggest letdowns.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win 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 Week 1. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was not nearly as close than the score suggests. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their D, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with penalties, mistakes, poor offensive line play, failed fourth-down attempts and poor sideline leadership. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that weren't sufficient this has been happening for a long time: 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.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Struggling at 1-4

Admittedly, it’s tempting to attribute Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Jackson not playing. But a 44-10 blowout – the worst home loss in team history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his defensive unit, which in fairness has been plagued by health issues, is godawful. Making matters worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the running back, and company.

Still, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their future games is soft, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is nearly depleted.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This one boils down to one incident: Burrow's year-ending ailment in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has caused three losses. It’s hard to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and the other starting receiver, performing well with no positive results. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and over 100 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the game was out of reach. Simultaneously, Burrow’s backup, the backup passer, while promising in the fourth quarter against the Lions, has mostly been a disaster. His three picks on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football depends so much on the health of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will highlight the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow returns next year, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the present year, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Raiders Drop to 1-4

Let Maxx Crosby go, who remains one of the only bright spots in a weird new era of Raiders misery. Sunday’s 40-6 blowout loss to the Indianapolis was further evidence of the ill-fated union of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll in the desert. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two picks in the fifth game resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. It's unclear what Plan B is, but the primary strategy – being relying entirely on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 outings. But among AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their situations, supporter grievances about their slow-moving attack and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. Yes, Sunday’s meltdown was concerning: the Eagles blew a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to multiple flags, an O that disappeared, and a Vic Fangio defense that was dominated and outcoached by the Broncos' coach. Stranger events have occurred. Still, they were on the subject to questionable rulings and are tied for the leading standing in their NFC. What happened to the joy?

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

Honorable mention: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are middle-of-the-road rather than terrible, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was poorly played. A goalline fumble from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Titans touchdown did Arizona in. You couldn't invent this loss if you attempted. Since this, and their previous two losses, were on clutch field goals, there can’t be much joy in Cardinals territory these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” the quarterback said after the game. “I'm confused. I'm completely baffled. That's Football Mistakes 101. I'm not sure. It was unbelievable.”

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

MVP of the week

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