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We’re past the first quarter of the professional football season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the direction of many franchises. So let’s highlight the teams whose optimistic outlook have vanished after the latest round of games. Note that these might not be the most terrible squads in the league (the Tennessee Titans and Browns, for example, are terrible but are largely playing as anticipated) as much as the ones who have been most disappointing.

Jets Remain at 0-5

The sole franchise without a victory in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. There have been devastating losses, starting with Chris Boswell nailing a 60-yard game-winner for the Steelers in the season opener. And there have been one-sided contests like Sunday’s 37-22 beating to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the final score indicates. The Jets’ alleged strong point, their defense, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties, mistakes, subpar blocking, lack of fourth-down execution and lackluster coaching. Incredibly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that wasn’t enough 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.

Suffering Score: 9/10 – Is Aaron Glenn's job safe?

Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

Sure, it’s easy to chalk up Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But a 44-10 scoreline – the most lopsided home defeat in team history – is shameful and even a talent like Jackson won't single-handedly change things if his D, which to be fair has been blighted by injury, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense barely resisted against the Texans. It was a productive outing for Houston's QB, Nick Chubb, and company.

Still, Jackson should be back in the coming weeks, they play in a less competitive division and their future games is favorable, so all hope is not lost. But given how sloppy the Ravens have executed regardless of Jackson, the confidence level is running on fumes.

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

Cincinnati Bengals: Slipping to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in the early season. A trio of games without Burrow has resulted in multiple setbacks. It’s difficult to watch a pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and the talented wideout, performing well with nothing to show for it. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 loss to an elite squad, the Detroit 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 impressive in the last quarter against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three interceptions on Sunday cost the Bengals.

No team in football depends so much on the fitness of one player like the Bengals do with Burrow. Positive followers will point to the fact that they will be a postseason threat when Burrow returns next year, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the present year, 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)

Let Maxx Crosby go, who is still 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 head coach in the Las Vegas. Smith has been a turnover machine, topping the NFL this season with nine turnovers. His two turnovers in the fifth game led to Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the current approach – being fully committed to 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 reigning Super Bowl champions. And admittedly, they have suffered merely two losses in 22 contests. But amid the wideout and the pass-catcher showing frustration with their situations, fan complaints about their slow-moving attack and the city’s continued skepticism about coach Sirianni, you’d think the Eagles were without a victory. True, Sunday’s meltdown was worrisome: the Eagles squandered a 14-point lead to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was pummeled and outsmarted by Sean Payton. Stranger events have occurred. However, they were on the end of some controversial calls and are equal with the top mark in their league. Where are the smiles?

Despair Index: 3/10 - Despite the mood, the Eagles are playoff-bound.

Also Noteworthy: Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The Cardinals are average rather than terrible, but their humiliating 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was incompetent. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who assumed he had scored too soon, followed by a fumbled Cardinals interception that ended in a Tennessee score sank the Cardinals. You couldn't invent this loss if you wanted to. Given that this, and their previous two losses, were on last-second kicks, there is little celebration in Arizona these days. “I'm at a loss for words,” Kyler Murray said after the game. “I don’t even know. I really don’t even know. That's Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was unbelievable.”

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

Player of the Week

Rico Dowdle, running back, Carolina Panthers. Dowdle, filling in for the absent Hubbard, {could do with a little more confidence|