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We have passed the 25% point of the professional football season, which suggests we have a good idea of the direction of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the latest round of games. Remember these might not be the lowest-ranked franchises in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are mostly playing as expected) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The lone squad yet to win in the league, the Jets check all the misery boxes. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard winning field goal for the Steelers in Week 1. And there have been blowouts like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was much less competitive than the numbers imply. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defense, became the first 0-5 team with no takeaways in league history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with infractions, mistakes, weak O-line performance, lack of fourth-down execution and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are declining each game. If that didn't suffice this has been happening for a long time: their playoff drought of 14 years is the most extended in football. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could last a long time.

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 44-10 – the biggest home loss in team history – is shameful and even a player of Jackson's caliber won't single-handedly change things if his defense, which in fairness has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Compounding the issue, the Ravens defense offered little resistance against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, the Browns' star, and company.

Nevertheless, Jackson should be back in the near future, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so optimism remains. But given how sloppy the Ravens have performed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

This situation stems from a single play: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in Week 2. Three weeks without Burrow has led to a trio of defeats. It’s hard to watch two top pass-catchers, Cincinnati's WR1 and Tee Higgins, doing their thing with nothing to show for it. Chase caught a pair of big scores and 110 yards on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to a top franchise, the Lions. But Cincinnati’s offensive unit did the bulk of the scoring once the result was beyond doubt. Simultaneously, Burrow’s stand-in, the backup passer, while notable in the last quarter against the Lions, has generally struggled. His three turnovers on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the health of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Hopeful supporters will point to the fact that they will be a playoff team when Burrow returns next year, if he can avoid injury. But just five games into the present year, the campaign looks essentially finished for Cincinnati.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 1-4

Free Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the only bright spots in a unusual time of Silver and Black suffering. Sunday’s 40-6 rout to the Indianapolis Colts was another demonstration of the ill-fated union of the signal-caller and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a giveaway factory, leading the league this season with nine picks. His two interceptions in the fifth game led to Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but Plan A – being all in on Smith – is a very painful watch.

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

Surprise Entry! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Certainly, they’re the reigning Super Bowl champions. And of course, they have lost just twice in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the other receiver expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, followers' criticism about their underperforming O and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a significant margin to Denver in the final period thanks to several infractions, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by the opposing strategist. Crazier things have happened. However, they were on the receiving side of debated officiating and are sharing the leading standing in their NFC. Where are the smiles?

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

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than miserable, but their embarrassing 22-21 loss to the previously winless Titans was badly executed. A fumble at the goal line from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored early, followed by a botched interception that led to a Titans touchdown sank the Cardinals. You couldn’t concoct this defeat if you wanted to. Considering this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Cardinals territory 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 don’t know. It was insane.”

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

Player of the Week

Carolina's Rico Dowdle, RB. The ball carrier, filling in for the hurt starter, {could do with a little more confidence|