The Jets are failures and the Commanders are perfect marks

The Kansas City Chiefs are a well-known team at the top of the NFL standings as the season approaches its halfway point. As the final NFL team without a loss, the Chiefs seem ready to contend for a third consecutive Super Bowl championship. Naturally, the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens will all have an opinion on that.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders would like to join the conversation, even though those four teams are Super Bowl contenders. The Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers are all attempting to establish themselves as championship contenders, but unlike the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, they are not changing their coaches.

Over the last nine weeks of the regular season, a lot can change because there is still a lot of football to be played in the second half.

Upon completion of the first half, each team was required to bring home a grade for the initial nine weeks. How did each team perform after the midterm exam? Performance was a major determinant of the final grade, but it also depends on expectations.

Cardinals of Arizona.

Score: 5–4.

A grade.

Only four games were won by the Cardinals in the previous season. At this point in the season, Arizona leads the NFC West with five victories. Coach Jonathan Gannon has made the most of a roster that is among the bottom five in NFL talent, while offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has a top 15 offense.

The Cardinals are a team that never gives up, as evidenced by their numerous victories despite falling behind by a significant margin in the fourth quarter. McBride Trey and Harrison Jr. Marvin. are pillars of this franchise that will last for many years.

Atlanta Falcons.

6-3 is the record.

Grade: B+.

With their sweep of the Bucs and Tampa Bay’s injuries, the Falcons, the best team in the NFC South, seem to be dominating this division. Kirk Cousins has been a key quarterback in getting this team back to the postseason.

Although the offense is among the top ten, the defense is far from stellar. Atlanta, which has won five of six games, may contend for the NFC’s top seed. In the second half of the season, the Falcons’ position in the NFC hierarchy will be put to the test.

The Baltimore Ravens.

Record: 6-3.

A- grade.

With Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, two of the NFL’s top MVP contenders, the Ravens offense is practically unstoppable and one of the NFL’s Super Bowl contenders. The defense is surprisingly outside the top 20, while the offense ranks second in terms of points and yards per possession.

In addition, Baltimore’s losses to the Raiders and Browns are unacceptable. Despite their record, the Ravens should be better.

Buffalo Bills.

7-2 is the record.

A grade.

There’s not much to be upset about with this Bills team, aside from a crushing defeat to the Ravens. Buffalo has scored more than thirty points in six of his nine games and ranks among the top ten offenses in terms of points and yards per possession. Josh Allen only has two interceptions and 17 touchdown passes. With Amari Cooper, the Bills’ passing game has improved, but in order to contend for a Super Bowl, they must ensure his health.

Despite all of the injuries, the Bills are easily winning the AFC East and could win the Super Bowl. The Chiefs, 49ers, and Lions are on their schedule, so they will be put to the test in the second half.

The Carolina Panthers.

Results: 2–7.

D-grade.

When the season started, this team was expected to be among the worst in the NFL, but Bryce Young was supposed to be the main driver of the Panthers’ improvements. The Panthers wasted the 2024 season by benching Young in favor of Andy Dalton after just two games.

Young doesn’t seem like Carolina’s long-term answer, and he might even be worse than he was the previous season. The most amazing aspect of Carolina’s season is how this team has two victories.

Chicago Bears.

4–4 is the record.

The grade is C.

Despite being in the NFC playoff hunt, Chicago’s season seems to be going south. The players don’t seem to support coach Matt Eberflus, and he hasn’t done anything to persuade anyone that he should remain in his position. Although Caleb Williams has performed admirably, the offense is in the bottom 10 in terms of points and yards per possession, which is unacceptable.

What keeps Chicago in the postseason is the Bears’ defense, which is still strong. Chicago might be doomed by a cruel second-half schedule.

The Cincinnati Bengals.

Time: 4-5.

Grade: C-.

This season, the Bengals have been among the NFL’s biggest letdowns, but they have recovered from their 0–3 start. Although Cincinnati has won four of six games to regain its postseason hopes, the two losses came against the Ravens and Eagles, who both have six victories.

Joe Burrow’s performance has been outstanding (20 TD, four NT). Tee Higgins needs to recover because the Bengals’ subpar defense (players not named Trey Hendrickson) will force them to outscore opponents. Cincinnati’s continued playoff chances are a result of the AFC’s lackluster performance. The Bengals’ matchup with the Ravens this week is a must-win.

The Cleveland Browns.

Score: 2–7.

A F.

Due to the $230 million guaranteed contract, the Browns insisted on keeping Deshaun Watson in the lineup, despite the fact that the experiment was a complete failure. As a result, the defense continues to rank in the top 10 while the offense ranks last in the NFL in terms of points and yards per possession.

The Browns are still devoted to Watson for the time being, but they are still one quarterback away. Since Watson will be out for the remainder of the season and there won’t be many pass catchers available after trading Amari Cooper, they will get to see how Jameis Winston performs. This team is starting over and preparing for 2025.

Dallas Cowboys.

Record: 3–5.

D is the grade.

Was this what Jerry Jones meant when he said, “all in?” The Cowboys’ roster is far from the talent they had last season, and the lack of activity this offseason has obviously affected it. In every major category, the Cowboys’ run offense ranks 30th or lower, while their red zone offense and defense rank 31st and 32nd, respectively.

There is not much talent on the roster besides Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, and Dak Prescott. Prescott’s absence from the Cowboys for a while could spell the end of their 2024 campaign. This team simply lacks quality.

Denver Broncos.

Score: 5–4.

An A-.

Due to a roster that was uncertain and an overperforming rookie quarterback, this team was one of those that wasn’t predicted to be competitive in 2024. With two young pass-rushing talents in Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper, the Broncos are led by their defense (they rank in the top five in terms of points and yards allowed per possession). Another outstanding football cornerback is Patrick Surtain II.

Although Denver’s offense could use more pass catchers to support Nix, the team is demonstrating that the AFC is not an easy out. This Broncos team wasn’t expected to be over.500 at the halfway point, despite the difficult schedule in the second half.

Detroit Lions.

Score: 7-1.

An A+ grade.

As the Chiefs’ greatest threat to a three-peat, the Lions are currently the best team in the NFC. What more is there to say about them? They score points in all three phases of the game, which puts them first in the NFL in terms of points per game. In terms of points and yards per possession, Detroit ranks in the top five in the NFL, but during their six-game winning streak, the Lions have more touchdowns than interceptions.

With Jared Goff as a potential MVP, the Lions can run whenever they want. After Aidan Hutchinson’s injury, this team hasn’t missed a beat and is hoping that Za’Darius Smith will be the addition that strengthens the pass rush for the remainder of the season. Midway through the season, Detroit looks certain to make its first Super Bowl appearance.

Green Bay Packers.

Score: 6-3.

The grade is B+.

Because Green Bay is a contender in the NFC North, Sunday’s defeat by Detroit was difficult to accept. The Packers’ performance against the best in the NFC was supposed to serve as a litmus test for their abilities, but they delivered a lackluster performance.

Although the Packers’ defense has greatly improved from the previous campaign (ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed per possession), Jordan Love still gives up too many possessions. With one of football’s top offensive lines guarding him, this is possible.

This is one of the teams that might make a strong playoff run if they improve in the second half.

Houston Texans.

Record: 6-3.

Rating: B.

Although the Texans were predicted to contend for the AFC championship this season, it’s difficult to predict their current standing. While Joe Mixon missed almost the entire first month of the season, Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins’ injuries have had a major impact on the passing game.

The defensive combination of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter has been excellent, and they could help Houston get through the second half of the season. Houston should easily win the AFC South, but are the Texans as good as the other AFC contenders?

The Indianapolis Colts.

Score: 4-5.

Score: D.

Considering that the Colts selected Anthony Richardson with a top five pick the previous season, benching him after ten starts is not the best way to manage a team. Their lackluster performance against the Vikings, where Joe Flacco started at quarterback, demonstrates the team’s mediocrity.

The Colts aren’t a bad team, but Richardson should help them develop. Removing Richardson from the game to send a message is one thing, but benching him for the entire season is absurd. The Colts seem to be starting from scratch at quarterback once more.

The Jacksonville Jaguars.

The score is 2–7.

Classification: F.

Although Doug Pederson wasn’t the first or second coach fired this season, the Jaguars haven’t bounced back from the previous campaign. As the Jaguars began 0–4 and haven’t recovered, the collapse has continued into 2024. Although Pederson’s future is uncertain, rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has helped the Jaguars improve offensively. at wide receiver and ensuring the healthy return of tight end Evan Engram.

The main reason for Jacksonville’s decline has been the defense, which ranks in the bottom five in terms of points and yards per possession allowed. Owner Shahid Khan referred to the team’s roster as the most talented in the franchise’s history, but this season has been a complete failure.

Chiefs of Kansas City.

8-0 is the record.

An A+ grade.

At this point, the Chiefs simply seem inevitable. Despite leading the NFL in game-winning drives (three), Patrick Mahomes has nine interceptions. With Kareem Hunt as the No. 1, the offense seems to be getting settled. DeAndre Hopkins and one running back are included.

The foundation of Kansas City’s roster is their defense, which ranks among the top five in terms of both points and yards given up. The Chiefs have players who can put pressure on the quarterback in the closing minutes, but they could have a higher sack rate. This team dominates the AFC for a reason—they simply know how to win. There is a reason why Andy Reid and Mahomes are the greatest head coach-quarterback combination in football.

The Raiders of Las Vegas.

Results: 2–7.

Classification: F.

When there hasn’t been much talent on the roster, it’s not a good idea to fire your offensive coordinator nine games into the season. Luke Getsy, the recently fired offensive coordinator, never had a chance because Davante Adams was traded and Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell have alternated at quarterback.

The Raiders have the NFL’s highest offensive turnover rate, and the defense doesn’t get off the field frequently enough to support the struggling team. This is a poor football team that may be searching for a new head coach at the end of the season.

Chargers of Los Angeles.

The score is 5-3.

B+ is the grade.

Los Angeles has already experienced the Jim Harbaugh turnaround, as the Chargers have won five games in 2024, matching their 2023 total. Los Angeles is in first place. No. 1 defense in the NFL in terms of points per possession. This squad is positioned for a postseason comeback in Harbaugh’s first season thanks to their 4 yards allowed per possession.

Running the ball well and playing excellent defense are the Chargers’ two main strategies. At quarterback, Justin Herbert is also beginning to understand the offense. The Chargers are only going to improve.

Los Angeles Rams.

4–4 is the score.

Rating: B-.

The Rams have struggled with injuries to their two best wide receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who have missed most of the season. Since Sunday’s victory over the Seahawks was crucial for a possible postseason berth, both players are now back.

Although the defense has given up 18 points per game during the run, the Rams’ season has taken a turn for the better after winning three straight games. When Matthew Stafford, Kupp, and Nacua are on the field, and Kyren Williams is running back, the Rams are a formidable opponent. Let’s watch how they perform on the field with their best players.

Miami Dolphins.

Score: 2–6.

Grade: C-.

Miami’s season was severely ruined by Tua Tagovailoa’s injury because they had no one to cover for him while he was sidelined due to a concussion. Despite their 0–2 record since Tagovailoa’s return, the Dolphins have averaged 27–0 points per contest.

The offense is currently 29th in points per possession due to Tagovailoa’s injury, and the Dolphins have been erratic all season. Miami might not be able to realize its full potential in 2024.

Minnesota Vikings.

6-2 is the record.

Grade: B+.

This season, Minnesota has been among the NFL’s most impressive teams, and it appears their team will make it to the postseason. To demonstrate that they are among the top teams in the NFC, the Vikings defeated the Texans handily and defeated the Packers in a close game.

The defense is among the top five in the league in terms of points allowed per possession, and Sam Darnold has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Even though the Vikings aren’t as good as the Lions, this is a solid formula for January.

The New England Patriots.

Results: 2–7.

Rating: D.

Since the Patriots were predicted to be among the NFL’s worst teams in 2024, it’s difficult to really criticize them. Before entrusting the offense to Drake Maye, who has given it some life in his four starts, the Patriots had the worst offense in the league.

Over the coming years, the Patriots’ roster must be greatly enhanced. The reconstruction is still ongoing.

New Orleans Saints.

Result: 2–7.

F is the grade.

A team will not receive a high grade if a coach is fired in the middle of the season. The Saints’ performance after their 2-0 start was absurd because they are the first team to lose seven straight games after winning their first two of the season by a margin of 20 or more points.

Allen had an offense without Derek Carr for weeks, an aging defense, and many of the best receivers (Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave) going down. The Saints effectively turned on their coach, so he was still unable to stop the bleeding with his team. It’s awful to finish last in the NFC South, a division that includes the Panthers.

the New York Giants.

Score: 2–7.

D-grade.

The Giants are more certain than ever that Daniel Jones is not their franchise quarterback in a season that seems to be about outcomes. CEO John Mara has stated that coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen will stay after the season while the Giants search for their franchise quarterback.

Saquon Barkley’s departure seems like a huge loss for an offense that finishes last in points per game, but Malik Nabers will be a key member of this team for many years to come. In addition to being among the best in the league in terms of points allowed per possession, the defense excels at getting to the quarterback.

New York might be worse, but this was never meant to be a good team.

Jets of New York.

Score: 3-6.

A F.

Although their season has been a complete bust thus far, the Jets had hopes of ending their 14-year playoff drought (at least). Because of their poor play, the Jets didn’t win a game under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich until his fourth game, which was against the Texans last week, and Robert Saleh was the first coach fired.

Despite his poor performance, Aaron Rodgers has Davante Adams on his team and appears to click with Garrett Wilson. Even though the Jets still need to run the ball more, Rodgers’ lack of threat outside the pocket doesn’t help. There is hope that the season is still alive because the defense ranks among the top 10 in terms of points and yards per possession.

The Jets still have a chance to make the playoffs because of the AFC’s mediocrity. The error margin is very small.

Philadelphia Eagles.

Score: 6-2.

Rating: B+.

Under Jalen Hurts, the Eagles are riding high after winning four straight games and are possibly playing their best football. Saquon Barkley has exceeded expectations, and A. J. DeVonta Smith and Brown are demonstrating their superiority as the NFL’s top receiving tandem. Although not as strong as it was in previous years, the offensive line is still strong.

The defense, which now ranks in the top 10 in terms of points and yards per possession, has improved this season. Even though coach Nick Sirianni, who does win a lot, is questioned, the Eagles’ talent has been evident all season.

With last year’s collapse possibly behind them, this team looks ready to make a deep playoff run.

Pittsburgh Steelers.

The score is 6-2.

A- grade.

The quarterback “battle” between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields suggested the Steelers wouldn’t be a contender, so is it surprising that they are? Coach Mike Tomlin deserves praise for going to Wilson and improving the offense. The Steelers have one of the best defenses in the league and rank second in terms of points given up per possession.

The Steelers’ passing game could use some work, but adding Mike Williams should help at wide receiver. This team has performed better than expected. A demanding second-half schedule ought to show off the Steelers’ true talent.

49ers of San Francisco.

Score: 4–4.

Score: B.

It is already important to consider that the 49ers are a second-half team. Brock Purdy hasn’t performed as well as he did the previous season, but he hasn’t had Christian McCaffrey, who might make a comeback this week, either. One of the 49ers’ many injuries is Brandon Aiyuk, who will miss the season.

No one has swept the NFC West, and San Francisco remains among the top 10 offenses in terms of points and yards per possession. The 49ers can still make the most of their current campaign.

The Seattle Seahawks.

4-5 is the record.

Rating: B-.

Going into the NFL season, one of the mysteries remains a mystery. On both the offensive and defensive ends of the spectrum, the Seahawks rank in the middle of the pack in terms of points and yards per possession. Despite their impressive victories over Denver and Atlanta, Seattle varies from week to week.

Despite having a strong offensive line and Geno Smith, Seattle gives up too many possessions. The Seahawks have neither surpassed nor fallen short of expectations.

The Tampa Bay Bucs.

Record: 4-5.

C+ is the grade.

What might have happened to the Buccaneers as mid-October approached. As a dark horse in the NFC, Tampa Bay appeared to be a team poised to win the NFC South. The Buccaneers are still competitive in games, but their injuries to wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans have taken them off course.

The Bucs’ defense needs to improve if they want to contend in the postseason because they are among the bottom five in both points and yards allowed per possession. The losses of Evans and Godwin might be too much for this team to handle.

Tennessee Titans.

The score is 2–6.

Grade: D.

This season’s most unexpected statistic is that the Titans are at the bottom. Each possession is permitted to be one inch. Despite ranking 27th in terms of points allowed per game, the defense has given up the fewest yards per game in the NFL. This is largely due to the offense’s poor performance, as Mason Rudolph has replaced Will Levis as the starting quarterback.

DeAndre Hopkins was traded by the Titans, and Calvin Ridley has underwhelmed as a wide receiver. Despite Tony Pollard’s skill as a running back, the Titans spent a lot of money on offense and ended up finishing in the bottom 10. There is still a lot of work for this team to do.

commanders in Washington.

Score: 7–2.

A+ is the grade.

Recognize where credit is owed. With one of the best rookie seasons for a quarterback in NFL history, Jayden Daniels has been the Commanders’ savior. It’s the Commanders’ No. 1 offense in terms of points and yards per possession, owing to Daniels’ reliable passing and his capacity to create opportunities in the run game.

The defense’s points and yards per possession are in the bottom 10, so coach Dan Quinn is still trying to make improvements. With Daniels, the Commanders have a bright future and pose a threat to win the NFC East. This group will not disappear.