We’re past the 3/4 mark of the NFL season. Here’s how each team has graded out so far.
We have less than a quarter of the NFL season left, and at this point, teams are what they are. We can start to hand out grades to the league’s 32 teams.
These grades take into account more than just win-loss record. The situation each individual team is in matters. Two teams with the same record can have different grades because of expectations, youth, and other factors.
Arizona Cardinals: B
The last few weeks have been disappointing, as a 6-4 start and division lead has turned into 6-7. But, the rebuild in Arizona is ahead of schedule, and Kyler Murray has been solid in his first full season since his ACL tear. Overall, it’s been a good year in Phoenix.
Atlanta Falcons: D
At 6-7, the Falcons are just a game back in the NFC South. But, this team, on paper, should’ve been better than how they’ve played this year. Kirk Cousins has turned out to be a major disappointment.
Baltimore Ravens: B-
At 8-5, all of their goals are still in front of them. But, they’ve struggled to beat good teams, the defense has taken a huge step back, and they simply don’t seem like they’re as good as they were last year. Ravens fans could look back at last year as their best chance at a Super Bowl of the Lamar Jackson era.
Buffalo BIlls: A
The Bills lost some key pieces in the offseason, players that had helped them become one of the league’s best teams. They haven’t missed a beat. At 10-3 and the only team to beat the Chiefs, the Bills figure to a tough out in the playoffs. Josh Allen is a solid favorite to win MVP, too.
Carolina Panthers: C+
The Carolina Panthers were oh-so-bad early in the season. But, after being benched early in the season, Bryce Young has shown a ton of improvement since getting the job back in late October. The Panthers have been competitive against some really good teams, and have picked up a few wins since he became the starter again. They’re moving in the right direction.
Chicago Bears: F
The Chicago Bears get a well-deserved F. Yes, Caleb Williams looks like he’s going to be a solid NFL quarterback, at worst, for a long time. But, everything else has been a disaster. A seven-game losing streak after a 4-2 start has cost head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron their jobs. This team should’ve been much better, and this year has been a huge failure.
Cincinnati Bengals: D-
The only reason that this isn’t an F is because the Bengals do still have a little bit of playoff life at 5-8. But, they’re wasting an all-time great season by Joe Burrow due to an absolutely awful defense. As soon as they’re eliminated from playoff contention, the grade turns into an F.
Cleveland Browns: F
The Deshaun Watson trade and extension has officially turned into a disaster. He was awful before he went down with a torn Achilles. Now, they owe a ton of guaranteed money to a terrible quarterback coming off a brutal injury. A solid core may be sold for parts this offseason. It’s been a disastrous season.
Dallas Cowboys: F
Another F! Dallas, winners of 36 regular season games from 2021-2023, has had a real clunker of a season. Dak Prescott is out for the season with an injury, Micah Parsons seemingly can’t stand being a Cowboy, and plenty of holes on the roster have been exposed. Worst of all, Jerry Jones may give Mike McCarthy an extension. Yikes.
Denver Broncos: A
The Broncos are currently sitting in a playoff spot at 8-5, something that most people didn’t think would happen for another year, at least. And, it’s because of how much development rookie first-rounder Bo Nix has shown. He and Sean Payton seem to be a great match, and coupled with a good young defense, the Broncos have rebuilt quickly.
Detroit Lions: A-
The Lions are the best team in the NFL. So, why only an A-? Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the season in mid-October after playing like the best defensive end in the league. That’s just one of many injuries for the defense, and while they still have enough to win a Super Bowl, I’m sure they would like to be much healthier with their franchise player able to contribute. Still, a great team and a great season so far.
Green Bay Packers: B
I think many expected Jordan Love to take the next step in his development in his second year as a starter after signing a massive extension this offseason. It’s not that he’s been bad, but he’s still pretty turnover prone. Still, the Packers could make a run in the playoffs, and at 9-4 they’re having a good year. They just wish they felt better about their quarterback.
Houston Texans: B-
Yes, the 8-5 Texans are in first place in the AFC South and will likely win the division. But, regression by CJ Stroud, some strange coaching by DeMeco Ryans, and some young players failing to take the next step has many a little more bearish on their future than they were before the season.
Indianapolis Colts: C
The Colts have continued to be competitive, and are as close to a league-average team as can be. But, Anthony Richardson hasn’t taken the next step, and may have even regressed. It’s hard to see how this team is going to become an upper-echelon contender in the AFC in the next few years.
Jacksonville Jaguars: F
After a collapse late last season to miss the playoff, the Jaguars picked up right where they left off. They’ve been dreadful this year, with plenty of holes on defense. And, Trevor Lawrence is not exactly playing up to the huge contract he signed this offseason. The Jaguars look to be headed to another rebuild.
Kansas City Chiefs: B+
They’re 12-1, but it has been far from smooth sailing for the Chiefs. Both sides of the ball have struggled at times, and the offensive line has struggled with play at both tackle spots. A season-ending injury to Rashee Rice doesn’t help, either. That being said, they’re 12-1. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Las Vegas Raiders: D-
Not much was expected of the Raiders, but they’ve somehow not even met those low expectations. Antonio Pierce is a dreadful head coach, and there are few pieces on this team you’d want to keep around in a rebuild. It’s another lost season for the Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers: A
The culture change that Jim Harbaugh was hired to bring has already shown itself. After being a finesse, underachieving, soft team, the Chargers are a physical unit that is getting the most out of all of their players. And, Justin Herbert is playing fantastic football. This looks like a franchise that could win a Super Bowl in the next five years.
Los Angeles Rams: B
The Rams had a big win on Thursday night to get to 8-6 and give themselves a real shot at making the playoffs. But, they still are a coin flip to make it, and with Matthew Stafford not getting any younger, it’s playoffs or bust every year for the Rams. On the plus-side, young defensive linemen Jared Verse and Braeden Fiske have flashed.
Miami Dolphins: C
The Dolphins are a hard team to grade, because when Tua Tagovailoa has been on the field, they’ve been pretty solid. But, when Tagovailoa was out for a chunk of the season with a scary Week 2 concussion, they were awful. Had they found a way to win some of the close losses they suffered in that time frame, they would have a much better shot of making the playoffs right now. The biggest concern is Tua’ long-term future in the NFL. It feels like he’s one more concussion away from never being cleared to play again.
Minnesota Vikings: A+
The Vikings are 11-2, and Sam Darnold is their star quarterback. That would’ve been a sentence nobody believed a year ago, but that’s where we at. Darnold is rejuvenated, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison may be the league’s premier pass-catching duo, and the defense is making life tough on quarterbacks. They’re a real contender to get to the Super Bowl. Many thought they would struggle to win 6-8 games.
New England Patriots: C
The good news is that Drake Maye absolutely looks like a franchise quarterback. The bad news is that there are very few pieces on the rest of the roster worth keeping, and Jerod Mayo is unlikely to ever become a good head coach. But, the quarterback is the most important piece.
New Orleans Saints: C-
The Saints may be the hardest team to grade. One positive is that they no longer have Dennis Allen as head coach, and interim Darren Rizzi could be a worthy choice as the full-time coach. But, they’ve proved to be an aging, mediocre team. Give them credit for not quitting after a long losing streak, though.
New York Giants: F
The Giants’ season has featured embarrassment after embarrassment. They’re probably the worst team in the league, while Saquon Barkley may be the best player in the league this year. Daniel Jones proved to be a huge waste of money, and Brian Daboll is likely to get fired. The Giants are going to have to start over again.
New York Jets: F-
I’ve never given out an F- grade before. But, it’s necessary to emphasize how big of a disaster this franchise is. It’s hard to find any positives, and I can write 1000 words on the negatives. But, it starts and ends with Aaron Rodgers, who has proven to currently be a mediocre quarterback and an awful leader of men. The Jets played a stupid game, and won a very stupid prize.
Philadelphia Eagles: A
Things were testy in the City of Brotherly Love in September. But, after a 2-2 start, they haven’t lost since. Saquon Barkley has proved to be one of the best free agent signings in NFL history, the defense has been remade by rookies in the secondary, and they’re dominating in the trenches. Jalen Hurts has been hot and cold, but they’re Super Bowl contenders once again.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A+
The Steelers have been awesome this year. Everyone expected a great defense, but it’s the offense that has really improved with Russell Wilson under center and Arthur Smith calling the plays. At 10-3, and with a ferocious pass rush, nobody wants to see Mike Tomlin’s team in the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers: F
The 49ers are all-in to win a Super Bowl. At 6-8, it’s not going to happen. Worse, Brock Purdy doesn’t look like a franchise quarterback. Even worse than that, Christian McCaffery
Seattle Seahawks: A-
There have been some ups and downs. But, Mike MacDonald has done a fantastic job as a rookie head coach, Geno Smith has been good when he doesn’t turn it over, and the Seahawks have established the running game. Plus, Jaxon Smith-Njigba That adds up to an 8-5 record and a sizable lead in the NFC West.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+
These Buccaneers have shown a lot of grit this year. A string of close losses and injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans threatened to derail the season. Evans returned from his injury, and a sensational Baker Mayfield has helped them storm into the top spot in the NFC South. It looks like yet another NFC South title is on the way.
Tennessee Titans: D
Getty Image / Wesley Hitt
The defense has played well, and head coach Brian Callahan looks like a long-term solution. But, Will Levis has proved to not be a franchise quarterback, and the entire skill position group, plus quarterback, needs to be rebuilt on offense before the Titans are contenders.
Washington Commanders: A
This may have been an A+ at the midway point of the season. A franchise that has been looking for their franchise quarterback for decades has one in Jayden Daniels. Dan Quinn has proven once again to be a good head coach. And, despite lacking talent, the defense has competed hard. At 8-5, they’re likely headed for a very surprising playoff berth.