All 32 NFL teams have played either five or six games, so we thought it was fitting to assess their
All 32 NFL teams have played either five or six games, so we thought it was fitting to assess their performance so far. Some have earned an A+, while others are flunking their way to an F. How does your team’s NFL report card look?
Arizona Cardinals: D
A positive start has quickly turned into an ugly stretch that’s seen the Cardinals lose four games in a row. Of course, losing James Conner for the season doesn’t help, but the Cards aren’t great at anything right now. With a bye week coming up in Week 8, the Cardinals face what feels like a must-win against the Packers on Sunday. If not, the best they can possibly hope for is a wild card slot but even that feels like a longshot.
Atlanta Falcons: B
Bijan Robinson and an excellent passing defense are carrying the Falcons right now because Michael Penix hasn’t been able to find the end zone. Overall, the Falcons have been a bit confusing, losing to the Panthers then turning around and beating the Commanders and Bills. Yet, it’s a good sign that they’re trending up as of late.
Baltimore Ravens: F
The Baltimore Ravens would have an F- if that were a thing. There’s no other way to describe this disaster. A team that many thought would compete for a championship now has people talking about whether John Harbaugh should be fired. It’s pretty wacky in Baltimore right now.
Buffalo Bills: B+
What’s happened to the Buffalo Bills? Suddenly losers of two in a row, the Bills couldn’t top 20 points in either of their past two games. With a bye in Week 7, Buffalo should have no trouble bouncing back with a 30+point performance against Carolina in Week 8. If not, there could be some real trouble afoot.
Carolina Panthers: B+
When we did this exercise two weeks ago, we had the Carolina Panthers with a D+. But after rattling off two more wins, evening their record at 3-3, we’re pretty impressed with their progress. After winning just five games all of last season, the Panthers are not only scoring roughly two more points per game, but the defense is allowing over seven points fewer than last season too. It’s an impressive effort for a team that hasn’t won more than five games since 2022, but this year looks like it will be different.
Chicago Bears: B+
While there some issues early on, the Bears have settled into having the NFL’s 10th-ranked scoring offense thus far. They’re also already just two wins shy of their total from last season. Though, the defense, which is allowing 28.2 points per game, is a valid concern.
Cincinnati Bengals: D-
Was Jake Browning the problem? Will Joe Flacco be any better? The Bengals are about to find out, but so far it looks like this team simply isn’t equipped to win without their best player. Many teams aren’t, but the Bengals are tracking for a top-ten draft pick and that’s never fun for a group that had legitimate goals of heading back to the Super Bowl.
Cleveland Browns: D
Sitting with the worst offense in football, Myles Garrett can’t be happy with the effort he sees. However, there is a silver lining here, considering Cleveland’s rookie class looks to be one of the best. They may not win many games with Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders this season, but they’re poised to add a lot more talent through the draft next year, and having an extra first-round pick via Jacksonville will undoubtedly help.
Dallas Cowboys: C-
The Cowboys’ offense is elite with Dak Prescott back in the lineup. Now what about that defense? Only eight teams have generated fewer sacks and they’ve allowed opponents to get big gains through the air. No team is averaging more than the 7.5 yards per pass attempt Dallas is currently allowing. The Cowboys could really use a premier edge-rusher, but those are really hard to find.
Denver Broncos: B+
Beating the world champs is always noteworthy, even if the Eagles weren’t in top form. Yet, barely squeaking out a win over a bad Jets team is, well, not impressive. The Broncos have yet to click offensively, but this defense is back to being elite, as expected. The pass-rush is actually on a historic sack pace after recording nine last week. Sean Payton’s scoring attack will eventually round into form.
Detroit Lions: A-
Last year, the Lions had a top-ten defense under Aaron Glenn, but they rank just 18th this season. Yet, with the NFL’s second-best offense, that’s enough to return as top NFC contenders. They may not finish with as good of a record as we saw in 2024, but this team could enter the playoffs as a better team, largely due to health.
Green Bay Packers: B+
The only loss the Packers have suffered happens to be against one of the NFL’s worst teams (Browns). However, they’ve also defeated the Lions and Commanders, two strong playoff teams from last season. We’ve seen the Packers look like Super Bowl contenders at times, and also hit rough patches where they don’t look like they belong in the playoffs. So which team are they? Our guess, it’s the good one, but it could take some time for this young team to become more consistent.
Houston Texans: C
Winners of two in a row, the Texans are finally flashing signs of being a potential playoff contender again. Their league-best defense will always keep Houston in play, but seeing the offense go off for 44 points could help build confidence. Now we need to see if they can maintain against a team that doesn’t have the NFL’s worst defense.
Indianapolis Colts: A+
The Colts finally lost their first game after rattling off three straight wins, but they’ve bounced back since and somehow maintain the NFL’s highest-scoring offense and the fourth-best defense too. Barring injuries, we don’t see any way Indianapolis doesn’t make the playoffs and that’s not a statement anyone was saying before the season kicked off.
Jacksonville Jaguars: A
Already matching their win total from last season, the Jaguars look like a new team under Liam Coen. After ranking 26th in scoring and 27th in points allowed, the Jags are up to the 17th-best offense and impressively the seventh-best defense. We’d still like to see more growth from Trevor Lawrence, but wins are wins and they’ve taken a giant leap in the right direction.
Kansas City Chiefs: B+
A 3-3 record isn’t what anyone envisioned for last year’s AFC representative in the Super Bowl. Yet, all three of their losses may be to playoff teams and their three wins have been convincing. The fact that the Chiefs have the NFL’s ninth-best offense all while not having their best playmaker (Rashee Rice) is nothing to scoff at. Now that Rice is back, expect the Chiefs to head into their Week 10 Bye with a winning record, despite having matchups against the Commanders and Bills.
Las Vegas Raiders: D+
The Raiders have a couple of wins, sandwiched between four losses. One of them, came against one of the NFL’s worst teams who just fired their head coach. Geno Smith is not just leading the NFL with 10 interceptions, some are wondering if the Raiders’ franchise QB should be benched. But maybe Pete Carroll will get sick of his offensive coordinator Chip Kelly instead.
Los Angeles Chargers: B+
A loss to the Giants and a 17-point defeat to the Commanders stick out like sore thumbs, but considering how badly the Chargers have been bitten by the injury bug, a 4-2 record should be considered a win. Still, the Chargers need to prove they can find paydirt more often, and not having Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris isn’t helping in that department.
Los Angeles Rams: B+
Puka Nacua’s injury could slow down an offense that has been handcuffed by a middling rushing attack. Otherwise, there’s really nothing to complain about in LA. Stafford doesn’t just look healthy, he looks like an MVP candidate. Defensively, the Rams have taken a giant leap forward, ranking third in points allowed. First-ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Donald just retired in 2023 and the Rams already have an elite defense again? Scary.
Miami Dolphins: F
Okay, but they have to beat the Browns, right? At 1-5, the Dolphins’ season is as bad as it gets. They were supposed to be a playoff contender. Now there’s discussions of whether they need to replace Tua Tagovailoa, GM Chris Grier, head coach Mike McDaniel, or all three. Considering they’re not doing anything well and the dysfunction is spilling out in public, changes have to be right around the corner. Remember when McDaniel was the coaching wiz who was celebrated for being one-of-a-kind? His schtick seem to be wearing off in South Beach.
Minnesota Vikings: B
Brian Flores has his defense back to being the fifth-best in the business. Meanwhile, Kevin O’Connell doesn’t know who his quarterback will be, but he has the offense ranking 12th. Having Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson will do that. We’ve seen Carson Wentz play possibly well enough to make them contenders, but what about J.J. McCarthy? More growing pains are likely on the way.
New England Patriots: A+
It sure looks like the Titans let a good coach get away, but the Patriots are proud to have Mike Vrabel leading their team to first place in the AFC East. Not only does Drake Maye look like the next great NFL QB, the defense is looking elite, allowing the seventh-fewest points in football. Considering they’ve already matched their win total from last year and still have 11 more games to play, it’s an A+ effort all around in New England.
New Orleans Saints: D
The New Orleans Saints are rightfully taking their lumps in a season that was always going to be a rebuilding year. Kellen Moore is getting a good chance to evaluate players left over from the previous regime, including Spencer Rattler who has shown more positives than expected. Forget wins, the Saints are jockeying for draft position, and that’s okay in coach Moore’s first season.
New York Giants: B-
Both of the Giants’ wins have come against playoff teams from last season, all with rookie QB Jaxson Dart in the lineup. That’s really all the proof ownership needs to see when determining whether GM Joe Schoen and/or coach Brian Daboll deserve more time on task. If the Giants can add more pieces along the offensive line, another weapon and continue to strengthen the defense, we could have something here. But they won’t make real noise until next year, after more reinforcements arrive. Still, they’d be wise to see what they can get for Russell Wilson via trade.
New York Jets: F
Well, this turned sour quickly. Justin Fields showed some early potential before his injury, but he’s looked like a bust ever since. The only winless team after six games, there’s no reason for this Jets team to be so bad. Robert Saleh was kicked out of coaching what appeared to be a talented roster featuring the likes of Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. So, what’s happening with Aaron Glenn? He may be one-and-done in New York, especially if they can’t start forcing some turnovers.
Philadelphia Eagles: B
Even though he’s not thriving in New Orleans, the Eagles look like they miss Kellen Moore. Two consecutive losses is never ideal, and possibly even hints at a bit of internal friction after a highly-publicized schism built up with a lack of golden opportunities for A.J. Brown. But it’s not just Jalen Hurts. The Saquon Barkley-led rushing offense ranks just 28th in yards per carry. A 4-2 record keeps them as strong contenders, but there are some legit cracks lurking beneath the surface of what appeared to be a strong foundation.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A-
The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t afraid to swing some trades and even take a chance on Aaron Rodgers, despite the future Hall of Famer being 41. They’re all paying off thus far, and the Steelers may not be done wheeling and dealing. Hopefully that includes a running back too.
San Francisco 49ers: B+
The 49ers are back. Kyle Shanahan doesn’t even need his Pro Bowl QB to get out to a 4-2 record, because he’s making Mac Jones look like a Pro Bowler again too. Notably, Christian McCaffrey hasn’t been effective as a rusher, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, and he leads the NFL in overall touches. He has, however, been excellent as a pass-catcher, actually outgaining his production as a rusher (444 yards on 46 receptions/336 yards on 108 attempts). Meanwhile, Saleh lost Nick Bosa to injury, but the 49ers are still much better than last season, ranking 15th in points allowed instead of 29th in 2024.
Seattle Seahawks: A
It’s rare to see a team trade a franchise QB, simply sign a replacement (who’s seven years younger), and end up with a better offense. That’s exactly what the Seahawks pulled off this offseason. Plus, Mike Macdonald’s defense has improved too, ranking sixth in points allowed. Jaxon Smith-Njigba looks like one of the NFL’s best receivers with Sam Darnold throwing him the ball, but the Seahawks need to find more consistency with their rushing attack.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
Todd Bowles’ defense taking a step back is a fair concern. But seeing the Buccaneers’ offense not miss a beat after Liam Coen took a head coaching job in Jacksonville is a great sign. Emeka Egbuka looks like the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. If the defense can settle in down the stretch, the Bucs could snag one of the NFC’s top seeds, possibly even a first-round bye. A matchup with the Lions will be an excellent test.
Tennessee Titans: F
This is a team that fired their head coach before Week 7 arrived. It doesn’t get any worse. The hope now is that Cam Ward can show some positive signs of growth throughout the season, otherwise it could be very tough to find a legitimate head coaching candidate who wants to take over a franchise that doesn’t have much to offer as far as talent.
Related: Identifying Tennessee Titans Coaching Candidates to Replace Brian Callahan
Washington Commanders: B-
Jayden Daniels hasn’t been 100% so it’s hard to grade the Commanders fairly. Yet, considering they haven’t had their superstar QB for two games, a 3-3 start is better than most would do (ex. Bengals). Plus, the Commanders still have the seventh-ranked offense, and a big part of their success is thanks to their rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who’s averaging a dynamite 6.1 yards per scrimmage.
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