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We’re past the 25% point of the professional football season, which indicates we have a clear picture of the direction of most teams. So let’s celebrate the teams whose positive energy have vanished after the latest round of games. Remember 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 greatest underachievers.

New York Jets: Winless at 0-5

The only winless team in the league, the Jets fit every criteria for despair. 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 routs like Sunday’s 37-22 defeat to the Cowboys, which was far more lopsided than the score suggests. The Jets’ presumed asset, their defensive unit, became the initial winless squad with zero takeaways in NFL history. The Jets continue to hurt their own cause with flags, mistakes, poor offensive line play, ineffective short-yardage play and uninspired coaching. Amazingly the Jets are getting worse by the week. If that didn't suffice this has been a recurring issue: their postseason absence of 14 years is the league's lengthiest. And with a controversial franchise head in the league, it could continue for years.

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

Ravens Sink to 1-4

Admittedly, it’s simple to blame Baltimore’s loss to Houston on Sunday to Lamar Jackson being out. But 44-10 – the worst home loss in franchise history – is humiliating and even a player of Jackson's caliber can't overcome everything if his D, which to be fair has been ravaged by injuries, is terrible. Even worse, the Ravens defense hardly put up a fight against the Texans. It was a big day for CJ Stroud, the running back, and the rest.

However, Jackson will probably return in the near future, they play in a relatively weak division and their remaining schedule is favorable, so optimism remains. But based on how error-prone the Ravens have played with or sans Jackson, the hope-o-meter is close to empty.

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

Bengals Fall to 2-3

This one boils down to one incident: Joe Burrow's catastrophic injury in the early season. Three weeks without Burrow has led to three losses. It’s difficult to watch two of the league’s best receivers, Cincinnati's WR1 and the other starting receiver, performing well with no positive results. Chase caught two huge touchdowns and significant yardage on Sunday in a 37-24 beating to a top franchise, the Detroit Lions. But Cincinnati’s O did the bulk of the scoring once the outcome was decided. At the same time, Burrow’s replacement, the backup passer, while promising in the final period against the Lions, has often been ineffective. His three picks on Sunday doomed the Bengals.

No organization in football hinges on the fitness of a single athlete like the Bengals do with Burrow. Optimistic fans will point to the fact that they will be a playoff contender when Burrow comes back next year, if he can remain healthy. But merely a month into the current campaign, the campaign looks all but over for Cincinnati.

Despair Index: 6/10 – Cincinnati fans are left imagining alternate realities.

Las Vegas Raiders: Stumbling at 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 demolition to the Indianapolis was another demonstration of the disastrous pairing of the quarterback and Pete Carroll in the Nevada. Smith has been a mistake-prone player, leading the league this season with nine interceptions. His two interceptions in the latest contest produced Indianapolis touchdowns. We’re not sure what the alternative is, but the current approach – being all in on Smith – is a difficult viewing experience.

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

Wildcard alert! Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Yes, they’re the current title holders. And of course, they have only been defeated twice in 22 games. But amid the wideout and DeVonta Smith expressing dissatisfaction with their positions, fan complaints about their sluggish offense and the Philadelphia's uncertainty about the head man, you’d think the Eagles were winless. True, Sunday’s collapse was alarming: the Eagles lost a two-score advantage to Denver in the fourth quarter thanks to multiple flags, an attack that vanished, and a defensive scheme that was beaten and outthought by Sean Payton. More surprising outcomes exist. Nevertheless, they were on the subject to some controversial calls and are sharing the leading standing 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 miserable, but their shameful 22-21 setback to the until-then winless Titans was poorly played. A turnover near the end zone from the ball carrier, who prematurely celebrated a long run early, followed by a muffed pick that led to a Titans touchdown cost Arizona the game. You couldn't imagine this setback if you tried. Given that this, and their earlier setbacks, were on last-second kicks, there isn't much happiness in Arizona 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 Football Mistakes 101. I don’t know. It was crazy.”

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

Player of the Week

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