Thanksgiving Check-In: NFL Report Card
Thanksgiving! A time to celebrate what truly matters in life. Family. Friends. Football. The three F’s. Back in October, we did our first quarter check in to see how everyone was holding up. Now, teams are who they are as we head into the holiday break. Is there time to fix it? Yes, but barely. The stretch run is around the corner, and we will finally seperate the men from the boys.
AFC East
Miami Dolphins
Record: 7-3
HomeR: 5-0
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (+67)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 30.5 (1st)
RuYds/PG - 143.0 (2nd)
PaYds/PG - 291.0 (1st)
Yds/PG - 434.0 (1st)
Penalties/PG - 5.9 (12th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 23.8 (23rd)
RuYds All/PG - 99.2 (10th)
PaYds All/PG - 220.6 (14th)
Yds All/PG - 319.8 (12th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (22nd)
Record Rank - 8th
Offensive Rank - 1st
Defensive Rank - 15th
Composite Rank - 8th
Miami continues to feast on offense against poor team, but their wireless streak against good teams is alarming. Vic Fangio’s defense is quietly coming around…
Grade: A-
Buffalo Bills
Record: 6-5
HomeR: 5-2
AwayR: 1-3
+/-: (+104)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 26.7 (7th)
RuYds/PG - 117.7 (11th)
PaYds/PG - 254.5 (7th)
Yds/PG - 372.2 (6th)
Penalties/PG - 6.6 (22nd)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 17.3 (4th)
RuYds All/PG - 110.5 (16th)
PaYds All/PG - 204.2 (10th)
Yds All/PG - 314.6 (10th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.7 (7th)
Record Rank - 15th
Offensive Rank - 7th
Defensive Rank - 6th
Composite Rank - 10th
Despite ranking 10th, Buffalo is on the outside looking in. Due to some poor coaching and timely turnover, the Bills have their work cut out for them. They got off on the right foot against the Jets, but the next four games will determine their season.
Grade: C
New York Jets
Record: 4-6
HomeR: 2-3
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (-54)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 15.0 (30th)
RuYds/PG - 99.8 (23rd)
PaYds/PG - 170.5 (30th)
Yds/PG - 270.3 (30th)
Penalties/PG - 6.5 (20th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 20.4 (11th)
RuYds All/PG - 137.6 (30th)
PaYds All/PG - 178.7 (5th)
Yds All/PG - 316.3 (11th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)
Record Rank - 22nd
Offensive Rank - 31st
Defensive Rank - 9th
Composite Rank - 19th
The defense woke up. The offense is still asleep. The decision to stick with Zach Wilson may very well cost Robert Saleh his job. The season is slipping away.
Grade: C-
New England Patriots
Record: 2-8
HomeR: 1-5
AwayR: 1-3
+/-: (-97)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 14.1 (31st)
RuYds/PG - 94.9 (27th)
PaYds/PG - 199.6(22nd)
Yds/PG - 294.5 (26th)
Penalties/PG - 6.3 (16th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 23.8 (23rd)
RuYds All/PG - 97.9 (9th)
PaYds All/PG - 228.8 (18th)
Yds All/PG - 326.5 (16th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.0 (27th)
Record Rank - 30th
Offensive Rank - 29th
Defensive Rank - 20th
Composite Rank - 29th
With rumors swirling around Bill leaving after the season, it would be quite a sour end. One we all saw coming though. This roster is bad. Plain and simple. This is the worst season in New England in over 25 years.
Grade: F
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 8-1
HomeR: 4-0
AwayR: 4-1
+/-: (+57)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 27.3 (5th)
RuYds/PG - 128.1 (8th)
PaYds/PG - 234.8 (12th)
Yds/PG - 362.9 (9th)
Penalties/PG - 5.4 (6th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 21.2 (16th)
RuYds All/PG - 76.5 (1st)
PaYds All/PG - 248.1 (28th)
Yds All/PG - 324.6 (14th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.3 (19th)
Record Rank - 1st
Offensive Rank - 3rd
Defensive Rank - 13th
Composite Rank - 4th
Different team than last year - same results. Philly keeps on winning, and while Hurts may not be playing at an MVP level, he’s doing what he has to do to win.
Grade: A
Dallas Cowboys
Record: 7-3
HomeR: 4-0
AwayR: 3-3
+/-: (+127)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 30.2 (2nd)
RuYds/PG - 116.8 (12th)
PaYds/PG - 255.5 (5th)
Yds/PG - 372.3 (5th)
Penalties/PG - 7.4 (31st)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 17.5 (5th)
RuYds All/PG - 109.2 (15th)
PaYds All/PG - 157.1 (2nd)
Yds All/PG - 266.3 (2nd)
Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)
Record Rank - 7th
Offensive Rank - 9th
Defensive Rank - 3rd
Composite Rank - 5th
We are at the point in the season where people consider Dallas for the Super Bowl. I need to see it to believe it. Consider me a skeptic.
Grade: A
Washington Commanders
Record: 4-7
HomeR: 1-4
AwayR: 3-3
+/-: (-69)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 21.5 (17th)
RuYds/PG - 95.7 (26th)
PaYds/PG - 245.0 (10th)
Yds/PG - 340.7 (12th)
Penalties /PG - 5.5 (8th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 27.7 (32nd)
RuYds All/PG - 114.3 (21st)
PaYds All/PG - 258.5 (30th)
Yds All/PG - 372.8 (29th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (24th)
Record Rank - 26th
Offensive Rank - 15th
Defensive Rank - 32nd
Composite Rank - 27th
Unserious football team. Ron Rivera is cooked as a head coach, and the small rebuild has begun. Two losses to the Giants - this season is over.
Grade: D
New York Giants
Record: 3-8
HomeR: 1-3
AwayR: 2-5
+/-: (-136)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 13.5 (32nd)
RuYds/PG - 111.5 (13th)
PaYds/PG - 150.6 (32nd)
Yds/PG - 262.2 (32nd)
Penalties /PG - 5.6 (11th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 25.9 (28th)
RuYds All/PG - 135.1 (29th)
PaYds All/PG - 236.5 (22nd)
Yds All/PG - 371.6 (28th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.5 (14th)
Record Rank - 28th
Offensive Rank - 28th
Defensive Rank - 31st
Composite Rank - 31st
When the highlight of your season is an undrafted rookie QB who lives at his mom’s house, that should tell you all you need to know.
Grade: F
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Record: 8-3
HomeR: 4-2
AwayR: 4-1
+/-: (+127)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 27.6 (4th)
RuYds/PG - 155.1 (1st)
PaYds/PG - 211.5 (20th)
Yds/PG - 366.5 (7th)
Penalties/PG - 6.2 (15th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 16.1 (2nd)
RuYds All/PG - 103.7 (13th)
PaYds All/PG - 169.7 (3rd)
Yds All/PG - 273.5 (3rd)
Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (18th)
Record Rank - 2nd
Offensive Rank - 5th
Defensive Rank - 4th
Composite Rank - 2nd
Best team in the AFC.
Grade: A+
Cleveland Browns
Record: 7-3
HomeR: 5-1
AwayR: 2-2
+/-: (+57)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 22.7 (13th)
RuYds/PG - 142.7 (3rd)
PaYds/PG - 183.1 (26th)
Yds/PG - 325.8 (19th)
Penalties/PG - 6.3 (16th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 18.0 (6th)
RuYds All/PG - 99.6 (11th)
PaYds All/PG - 143.7 (1st)
Yds All/PG - 243.3 (1st)
Takeaways/PG - 1.5 (12th)
Record Rank - 9th
Offensive Rank - 16th
Defensive Rank - 2nd
Composite Rank - 9th
Despite all the injuries, the Browns keep on winning. That is impressive. A real nice job by Kevin Stefanski this year. The Browns may not win a Super Bowl in 2023, but they won’t be an easy out at all.
Grade: A
Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 6-4
HomeR: 4-2
AwayR: 2-2
+/-: (-29)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 16.6 (28th)
RuYds/PG - 110.1 (16th)
PaYds/PG - 170.0 (31st)
Yds/PG - 280.1 (28th)
Penalties/PG - 5.5 (9th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 19.5 (7th)
RuYds All/PG - 127.7 (23rd)
PaYds All/PG - 239.9 (23rd)
Yds All/PG - 367.6 (27th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.9 (2nd)
Record Rank - 10th
Offensive Rank - 24th
Defensive Rank - 17th
Composite Rank - 18th
Matt Canada has finally been fired. Now, we can see if this offense can do anything. Kenny Pickett needs to play better. Pittsburgh is hanging on to a playoff spot by a thread.
Grade: B
Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 5-5
HomeR: 3-2
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (-24)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 20.2 (20th)
RuYds/PG - 80.9 (30th)
PaYds/PG - 217.8 (18th)
Yds/PG - 298.7 (24th)
Penalties/PG - 5.0 (3rd)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 22.6 (21st)
RuYds All/PG - 138.3 (31st)
PaYds All/PG - 247.8 (27th)
Yds All/PG - 386.1 (30th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.8 (5th)
Record Rank - 16th
Offensive Rank - 20th
Defensive Rank - 29th
Composite Rank - 22nd
Joe Burrow is done for the season. Chalk this season up as a dud for Cincy. It’s a shame, but now the attention turns towards 2024.
Grade: D
NFC North
Detroit Lions
Record: 8-2
HomeR: 4-1
AwayR: 4-1
+/-: (+43)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 27.2 (6th)
RuYds/PG - 136.6 (5th)
PaYds/PG - 263.0 (4th)
Yds/PG - 399.6 (2nd)
Penalties/PG - 5.5 (9th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 22.9 (22nd)
RuYds All/PG - 89.5 (5th)
PaYds All/PG - 223.5 (16th)
Yds All/PG - 313.0 (9th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (22nd)
Record Rank - 3rd
Offensive Rank - 2nd
Defensive Rank - 11th
Composite Rank - 3rd
This is the best Lions start since 1963. 60 years. Go. Fucking. Lions.
Grade: A+
Minnesota Vikings
Record: 6-5
HomeR: 2-3
AwayR: 4-2
+/-: (+23)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 23.0 (11th)
RuYds/PG - 93.8 (28th)
PaYds/PG - 266.7 (3rd)
Yds/PG - 360.5 (10th)
Penalties/PG - 4.9 (2nd)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 20.9 (15th)
RuYds All/PG - 94.0 (7th)
PaYds All/PG - 226.6 (17th)
Yds All/PG - 320.6 (13th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.3 (20th)
Record Rank - 13th
Offensive Rank - 8th
Defensive Rank - 10th
Composite Rank - 11th
The Vikings coulda mailed it in at 0-3. Or when Justin Jefferson went down. Or when KirK Cousins tore his Achilles. Yet, they are 6-4. KOC deserves a COTY award.
Grade: B+
Green Bay Packers
Record: 4-6
HomeR: 3-2
AwayR: 1-4
+/-: (0)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 20.2 (20th)
RuYds/PG - 102.1 (21st)
PaYds/PG - 217.5 (19th)
Yds/PG - 319.6 (21st)
Penalties/PG - 7.2 (30th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 20.2 (10th)
RuYds All/PG - 134.7 (28th)
PaYds All/PG - 193.2 (7th)
Yds All/PG - 327.9 (17th)
Takeaways/PG - 0.9 (29th)
Record Rank - 24th
Offensive Rank - 23rd
Defensive Rank - 18th
Composite Rank - 23rd
The Packers are boring. Which is crazy, cause they’re going. They are just lacking a punch.
Grade: D+
Chicago Bears
Record: 3-8
HomeR: 2-3
AwayR: 1-5
+/-: (-56)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 20.9 (19th)
RuYds/PG - 139.5 (4th)
PaYds/PG - 184.4 (25th)
Yds/PG - 323.8 (20th)
Penalties/PG - 6.6 (22nd)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 26.0 (29th)
RuYds All/PG - 79.5 (2nd)
PaYds All/PG - 245.9 (26th)
Yds All/PG - 325.5 (15th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (24th)
Record Rank - 29th
Offensive Rank - 19th
Defensive Rank - 21st
Composite Rank - 26th
Chicagos hope for a playoff run ended in September. Now, we find out if Justin Fields will have a job come April.
Grade: D
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 7-3
HomeR: 3-3
AwayR: 4-0
+/-: (+26)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 23.0 (11th)
RuYds/PG - 108.7 (17th)
PaYds/PG - 225.4 (16th)
Yds/PG - 334.1 (16th)
Penalties/PG - 4.8 (1st)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 20.4 (11th)
RuYds All/PG - 87.0 (4th)
PaYds All/PG - 254.4 (29th)
Yds All/PG - 341.4 (20th)
Takeaways/PG - 2.0 (1st)
Record Rank - 5th
Offensive Rank - 11th
Defensive Rank - 8th
Composite Rank - 7th
Jacksonville won 5 straight in October. Last year at this juncture, they were 3-7. Now they’re 7-3. Doug Pederson has worked wonders with this football team.
Grade: A-
Houston Texans
Record: 6-4
HomeR: 4-1
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (+30)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 23.8 (10th)
RuYds/PG - 99.5 (24th)
PaYds/PG - 277.2 (2nd)
Yds/PG - 377.2 (4th)
Penalties/PG - 6.5 (20th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 20.8 (14th)
RuYds All/PG - 96.5 (8th)
PaYds All/PG - 241.4 (25th)
Yds All/PG - 337.9 (19th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (15th)
Record Rank - 12th
Offensive Rank - 10th
Defensive Rank - 16th
Composite Rank - 12th
This team will have hardware this year. Whether it’s Demeco Ryan’s or CJ Stroud, or both, they deserve something. A remarkable turnaround. And oh, they are VERY alive for the division.
Grade: A+
Indianapolis Colts
Record: 5-5
HomeR: 1-4
AwayR: 4-1
+/-: (-6)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 24.2 (9th)
RuYds/PG - 118.0 (10th)
PaYds/PG - 218.1 (17th)
Yds/PG - 336.1 (14th)
Penalties/PG - 6.3 (16th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 24.8 (26th)
RuYds All/PG - 129.7 (25th)
PaYds All/PG - 228.8 (18th)
Yds All/PG - 358.5 (25th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)
Record Rank - 19th
Offensive Rank - 13th
Defensive Rank - 24th
Composite Rank - 17th
The Colts keep hanging around. They’re in every game and Shane Steichen deserves credit. I don’t know if they’ll make the playoffs, but they are a team you can’t take lightly.
Grade: B
Tennessee Titans
Record: 3-7
HomeR: 3-1
AwayR: 0-6
+/-: (-46)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 16.8 (27th)
RuYds/PG - 105.0 (19th)
PaYds/PG - 181.0 (27th)
Yds/PG - 286.0 (27th)
Penalties/PG - 6.1 (14th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 21.4 (17th)
RuYds All/PG - 112.3 (17th)
PaYds All/PG - 230.8 (20th)
Yds All/PG - 343.1 (22nd)
Takeaways/PG - 0.7 (31st)
Record Rank - 27th
Offensive Rank - 26th
Defensive Rank - 26th
Composite Score - 28th
It’s over - blow it up. And I mean everything. Vrabel. Henry. Everything.
Grade: D
NFC South
New Orleans Saints
Record: 5-5
HomeR: 2-2
AwayR: 3-3
+/-: (+16)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 21.4 (18th)
RuYds/PG - 100.0 (22nd)
PaYds/PG - 237.4 (11th)
Yds/PG - 337.4 (13th)
Penalties/PG - 6.4 (19th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 19.8 (8th)
RuYds All/PG - 113.6 (20th)
PaYds All/PG - 199.1 (8th)
Yds All/PG - 312.7 (8th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.8 (5th)
Record Rank - 14th
Offensive Rank - 17th
Defensive Rank - 7th
Composite Rank - 13th
NOLA can win some games, they can also lose so games. The only reason this team is in the playoff conversation is because of the division they play in.
Grade: B-
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-6
HomeR: 3-2
AwayR: 1-4
+/-: (-28)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 18.9 (24th)
RuYds/PG - 130.4 (7th)
PaYds/PG - 204.9 (21st)
Yds/PG - 335.3 (15th)
Penalties/PG - 5.4 (6th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 21.7 (18th)
RuYds All/PG - 108.4 (14th)
PaYds All/PG - 200.4 (9th)
Yds All/PG - 308.7 (7th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.0 (27th)
Record Rank - 25th
Offensive Rank - 14th
Defensive Rank - 12th
Composite Rank - 14th
Get this team a quarterback. And a coach who likes Bijan Robinson.
Grade: C
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 4-6
HomeR: 2-3
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (-16)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 19.2 (23rd)
RuYds/PG - 76.9 (32nd)
PaYds/PG - 227.8 (14th)
Yds/PG - 304.7 (22nd)
Penalties/PG - 6.9 (27th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 20.0 (9th)
RuYds All/PG - 90.0 (6th)
PaYds All/PG - 270.7 (31st)
Yds All/PG - 360.7 (26th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)
Record Rank - 23rd
Offensive Rank - 27th
Defensive Rank - 14th
Composite Rank - 21st
I feel bad because this team tried hard and Baker is playing well. They just don’t have enough. But they aren’t as far off as we thought they might be.
Grade: C+
Carolina Panthers
Record: 1-9
HomeR: 1-4
AwayR: 0-5
+/-: (-112)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 16.3 (29th)
RuYds/PG - 92.3 (29th)
PaYds/PG - 174.4 (28th)
Yds/PG - 266.7 (31st)
Penalties/PG - 7.0 (29th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 27.5 (31st)
RuYds All/PG - 129.4 (24th)
PaYds All/PG - 179.2 (6th)
Yds All/PG - 308.6 (6th)
Takeaways/PG - 0.7 (31st)
Record Rank - 32nd
Offensive Rank - 32nd
Defensive Rank - 23rd
Composite Rank - 32nd
Bad football team.
Grade: F
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 7-2
HomeR: 4-1
AwayR: 3-1
+/-: (+65)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 22.5 (14th)
RuYds/PG - 110.2 (14th)
PaYds/PG - 255.2 (6th)
Yds/PG - 365.4 (8th)
Penalties/PG - 6.7 (24th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 16.4 (3rd)
RuYds All/PG - 112.4 (18th)
PaYds All/PG - 170.8 (4th)
Yds All/PG - 283.2 (4th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (15th)
Record Rank - 4th
Offensive Rank - 12th
Defensive Rank - 5th
Composite Rank - 6th
The Chiefs have only themselves to blame if they don’t win a Super Bowl. They didn’t get a receiver. And it’s extremely noticeable they need one. Their defense is absolutely elite though.
Grade: B+
Denver Broncos
Record: 5-5
HomeR: 3-3
AwayR: 2-2
+/-: (-51)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 21.7 (15th)
RuYds/PG - 110.2 (15th)
PaYds/PG - 191.0 (24th)
Yds/PG - 301.2 (23rd)
Penalties/PG - 6.8 (26th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 26.8 (30th)
RuYds All/PG - 160.0 (32nd)
PaYds All/PG - 240.1 (24th)
Yds All/PG - 400.1 (32nd)
Takeaways/PG - 1.9 (2nd)
Record Rank - 17th
Offensive Rank - 21st
Defensive Rank - 30th
Composite Rank - 24th
The Broncos are the hottest team in the league. Sean Payton is doing his thing. Can this team make the playoffs?
Grade: C
Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 5-6
HomeR: 4-1
AwayR: 1-5
+/-: (-40)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 16.8 (26th)
RuYds/PG - 79.0 (31st)
PaYds/PG - 198.3 (23rd)
Yds/PG - 277.3 (29th)
Penalties/PG - 5.1 (4th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 20.5 (13th)
RuYds All/PG - 132.3 (27th)
PaYds All/PG - 210.0 (11th)
Yds All/PG - 342.3 (21st)
Takeaways/PG - 1.3 (20th)
Record Rank - 19th
Offensive Rank - 30th
Defensive Rank - 19th
Composite Rank - 25th
Josh McDaniels was the first HC fired. The Raiders all of the sudden played better. Coincidence? I think not.
Grade: C-
Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 4-6
HomeR: 2-3
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (+21)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 25.9 (8th)
RuYds/PG - 105.7 (18th)
PaYds/PG - 248.6 (9th)
Yds/PG - 354.3 (11th)
Penalties/PG - 5.2 (5th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 23.8 (23rd)
RuYds All/PG - 102.0 (12th)
PaYds All/PG - 291.6 (32nd)
Yds All/PG - 393.6 (31st)
Takeaways/PG - 1.5 (12th)
Record Rank - 21st
Offensive Rank - 6th
Defensive Rank - 27th
Composite Rank - 15th
It’s too much of a headache to talk about them. I don’t know.
Grade: D
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 7-3
HomeR: 4-1
AwayR: 3-2
+/-: (+122)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 27.9 (3rd)
RuYds/PG - 132.7 (6th)
PaYds/PG - 254.3 (8th)
Yds/PG - 387.0 (3rd)
Penalties/PG - 6.9 (27th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 15.7 (1st)
RuYds All/PG - 81.4(3rd)
PaYds All/PG - 221.4 (15th)
Yds All/PG - 302.8 (5th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.9 (2nd)
Record Rank - 6th
Offensive Rank - 4th
Defensive Rank - 1st
Composite Rank - 1st
When healthy, they are incredible. Only they will hold themselves back.
Grade: A+
Seattle Seahawks
Record: 6-4
HomeR: 4-1
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (-2)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 21.6 (16th)
RuYds/PG - 96.6 (25th)
PaYds/PG - 230.8 (13th)
Yds/PG - 327.4 (18th)
Penalties/PG - 7.6 (32nd)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 21.8 (19th)
RuYds All/PG - 112.6 (19th)
PaYds All/PG - 233.0 (21st)
Yds All/PG - 345.6 (23rd)
Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (15th)
Record Rank - 11th
Offensive Rank - 22nd
Defensive Rank - 22nd
Composite Rank - 16th
Seattle is alive and well, but they aren’t particularly doing anything. They are pretty average at everything. However, they are 6-2 against anyone not named the Rams.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Rams
Record: 4-6
HomeR: 2-3
AwayR: 2-3
+/-: (-25)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 19.5 (22nd)
RuYds/PG - 102.6 (20th)
PaYds/PG - 226.4 (15th)
Yds/PG - 329.0 (17th)
Penalties/PG - 5.9 (12th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 22.0 (20th)
RuYds All/PG - 117.3 (22nd)
PaYds All/PG - 217.8 (13th)
Yds All/PG - 335.1 (18th)
Takeaways/PG - 0.9 (29th)
Record Rank - 20th
Offensive Rank - 18th
Defensive Rank - 25th
Composite Rank - 20th
The Rams are close, but not there yet. The defense is better than we thought. The offense is ok. They are talent deficient, but they’re playing hard. Good job here by McVay.
Grade: B-
Arizona Cardinals
Record: 2-9
HomeR: 2-3
AwayR: 0-6
+/-: (-92)
Offensive Rankings
PPG - 17.5 (25th)
RuYds/PG - 126.2 (9th)
PaYds/PG - 171.8 (29th)
Yds/PG - 298.0 (25th)
Penalties/PG - 6.7 (25th)
Defensive Rankings
Pts/G - 25.8 (27th)
RuYds All/PG - 132.1 (26th)
PaYds All/PG - 217.5 (12th)
Yds All/PG - 349.5 (24th)
Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (24th)
Record Rank - 31st
Offensive Rank - 25th
Defensive Rank - 28th
Composite Rank - 30th
We got Kyler Murray back. So the Cards aren’t tanking? I don’t know, but they are competitive now. It will be very very interesting to see what this team does come draft time. Maybe Marvin Harrison Jr?
Grade: C+
Quarter Mark NFL Report Cards
Week 6 started on Thursday with the Chiefs defeating the Broncos for the 16th straight time. That is the longest streak in the NFL today. We had enough information through five weeks that we were pretty confident that the Chiefs were going to take down the Broncos - but we also have a really good sample size on the rest of the NFL teams through the first chunk of games. So how is your team doing? Does their record indicate how good they are? Is there a run on the horizon? Conversely, is your team playing over their heads and will they come down to earth? We answer all these questions below as we do our first of four quarter mark NFL Report Cards!
Week 6 started on Thursday with the Chiefs defeating the Broncos for the 16th straight time. That is the longest streak in the NFL today. We had enough information through five weeks that we were pretty confident that the Chiefs were going to take down the Broncos - but we also have a really good sample size on the rest of the NFL teams through the first chunk of games. So how is your team doing? Does their record indicate how good they are? Is there a run on the horizon? Conversely, is your team playing over their heads and will they come down to earth? We answer all these questions below as we do our first of four quarter mark NFL Report Cards!
AFC East
Miami Dolphins
Record: 4-1
HomeR: 2-0
AwayR: 2-1
+/-: (+46)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 1st
PPG - 1st
RuYds - 1st
RuYds/PG - 1st
PaYds - 1st
PaYds/PG - 1st
Total Yards - 1st
Yds/PG - 1st
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 26th
Pts/G - 26th
RuYds All. - 17th
RuYds All/PG - 18th
PaYds All. - 21st
PaYds All/PG - 19th
Total Yards Allowed - 24th
Yds All/PG - 23rd
Record Rank - 4th
Offensive Rank - 1st
Defensive Rank - 25th
Composite Rank - 7th
Last season, the Dolphins offense was running circles around teams until had the concussion issues. So far in 2023, nothing has changed. This Dolphins offense has absolutely domimated other squads. You can’t teach speed. Don’t get it twisted - the Dolphins are Super Bowl contenders, but if they want to get to the promised land, the defense will have to step up.
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 2-1
AwayR: 1-1
+/-: (+79)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 3rd
PPG - 3rd
RuYds - 15th
RuYds/PG - 16th
PaYds - 5th
PaYds/PG - 4th
Total Yards - 5th
Yds/PG - 4th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 6th
Pts/G - 6th
RuYds All. - 25th
RuYds All/PG - 25th
PaYds All. - 9th
PaYds All/PG - 9th
Total Yards Allowed - 13th
Yds All/PG - 12th
Record Rank - 9th
Offensive Rank - 5th
Defensive Rank - 11th
Composite Rank - 5th
This is where the Bills should be. Ranking in the Top 5 in offense and sitting around the Top 10 in defense is great, but they only have 3-2 to show for it. A lot of people (including myself) wrote Buffalo off this-offseason and through five weeks they have proven they are anything but. It will be interesting to see where this defense lands without Tre White, Matt Milano and Daquan Jones.
Grade: A-
New York Jets
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 1-2
AwayR: 1-1
+/-: (-12)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 22nd
PPG - 23rd
RuYds - 12th
RuYds/PG - 11th
PaYds - 31st
PaYds/PG - 32nd
Total Yards - 23rd
Yds/PG - 26th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 16th
Pts/G - 14th
RuYds All. - 28th
RuYds All/PG - 28th
PaYds All. - 14th
PaYds All/PG - 14th
Total Yards Allowed - 23rd
Yds All/PG - 21st
Record Rank - 24th
Offensive Rank - 25th
Defensive Rank - 23rd
Composite Rank - 25th
On the contrary, this is where Jets shouldn’t be. Granted, if you told me that there record was 2-3 with how their schedule started, I probably wouldn’t have been too surprised. But then you sprinkle in the Rodgers achilles injury, the corpse that is Dalvin Cook, and the fact that their defense is ranked 23rd in the NFL. The defense was supposed to be the backbone of this team and they haven’t been able to replicate their effectiveness from 2022. Zach Wilson has played better the last two games, but the Jets may hover around .500 without Rodgers.
Grade: C-
New England Patriots
Record: 1-4
HomeR: 0-3
AwayR: 1-1
+/-: (-76)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 32nd
PPG - 32nd
RuYds - 24th
RuYds/PG - 25th
PaYds - 17th
PaYds/PG - 18th
Total Yards - 22nd
Yds/PG - 25th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 24th
Pts/G - 24th
RuYds All. - 15th
RuYds All/PG - 16th
PaYds All. - 7th
PaYds All/PG - 7th
Total Yards Allowed - 10th
Yds All/PG - 9th
Record Rank - 30th
Offensive Rank - 28th
Defensive Rank - 12th
Composite Rank - 24th
I think this rank is a little deceiving. Although the defense still hasn’t been terrible, the offense is putrid and has caused New England’s defense to be on the field more than it should. Their first two losses against Philadelphia and Miami were hard fought games that went down to the final minutes, but the last couple of weeks have been shameful. We are nearing the territory of calling Mac a bust and entering the Patriots into the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
Grade: D
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 5-0
HomeR: 2-0
AwayR: 3-0
+/-: (+37)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 6th
PPG - 5th
RuYds - 2nd
RuYds/PG - 2nd
PaYds - 10th
PaYds/PG - 10th
Total Yards - 3rd
Yds/PG - 2nd
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 15th
Pts/G - 13th
RuYds All. - 2nd
RuYds All/PG - 1st
PaYds All. - 26th
PaYds All/PG - 24th
Total Yards Allowed - 11th
Yds All/PG - 10th
Record Rank - 2nd
Offensive Rank - 3rd
Defensive Rank - 10th
Composite Rank - 2nd
We’ve seen so many Super Bowl hangovers in the past. But these Eagles are different - they haven’t been flashy like the Dolphins or been a juggernaut like the 49ers, but they have gotten the job done every week. Ranking 3rd in offense and 10th in defense is no joke, and the Eagles are here to stay. A win is always a will - stop questioning it.
Grade: A
Dallas Cowboys
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 2-0
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (+51)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 7th
PPG - 8th
RuYds - 11th
RuYds/PG - 10th
PaYds - 18th
PaYds/PG - 19th
Total Yards - 17th
Yds/PG - 16th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 7th
Pts/G - 7th
RuYds All. - 18th
RuYds All/PG - 18th
PaYds All. - 2nd
PaYds All/PG - 2nd
Total Yards Allowed - 6th
Yds All/PG - 6th
Record Rank - 10th
Offensive Rank - 12th
Defensive Rank - 6th
Composite Rank - 6th
The Cowboys once again will be judged by how they do in the postseason. They should get there, but they were once again outclassed by the 49ers in front of the national stage. The criticism of Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy is warranted. And if the Boys want to get anywhere, they will need to start showing up in big games.
Grade: B
Washington Commanders
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 1-2
AwayR: 1-1
+/-: (-51)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 18th
PPG - 17th
RuYds - 22nd
RuYds/PG - 23rd
PaYds - 12th
PaYds/PG - 12th
Total Yards - 17th
Yds/PG - 17th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 31st
Pts/G - 31st
RuYds All. - 23rd
RuYds All/PG - 23rd
PaYds All. - 21st
PaYds All/PG - 20th
Total Yards Allowed - 25th
Yds All/PG - 24th
Record Rank - 27th
Offensive Rank - 18th
Defensive Rank - 28th
Composite Rank - 27th
If there is a definition of a seesaw team, its the 2023 Commanders. If you watch this team play, you would think they aren’t that bad. Sam Howell throws a good ball, they have some weapons on offense, and their defensive line is elite. But their offensive line has given up the most sacks through five games. Their secondary is poor and I’m not sure Ron Rivera is the right coach for them. They failed their big test agains the Bills horribly and then lost at home to the Bears. Maybe this team isn’t there yet.
Grade: C+
New York Giants
Record: 1-4
HomeR: 0-2
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (-91)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 31st
PPG - 31st
RuYds - 21st
RuYds/PG - 22nd
PaYds - 30th
PaYds/PG - 31st
Total Yards - 30th
Yds/PG - 32nd
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 29th
Pts/G - 29th
RuYds All. - 30th
RuYds All/PG - 30th
PaYds All. - 19th
PaYds All/PG - 18th
Total Yards Allowed - 27th
Yds All/PG - 26th
Record Rank - 31st
Offensive Rank - 32nd
Defensive Rank - 31st
Composite Rank - 32nd
I don’t care that the Panthers are 0-5. I don’t care that the Broncos gave up 70 points. The New York Giants are the worst team in football. They can’t throw. They can’t block. They can’t tackle. An unmitigated disaster over in East Rutherford. It’s time to watch Caleb Williams and Drake Maye tape.
Grade: F
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 2-1
AwayR: 1-1
+/-: (-31)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 29th
PPG - 30th
RuYds - 29th
RuYds/PG - 30th
PaYds - 24th
PaYds/PG - 26th
Total Yards - 26th
Yds/PG - 30th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 19th
Pts/G - 17th
RuYds All. - 27th
RuYds All/PG - 27th
PaYds All. - 25th
PaYds All/PG - 23rd
Total Yards Allowed - 31st
Yds All/PG - 30th
Record Rank - 15th
Offensive Rank - 31st
Defensive Rank - 29th
Composite Rank - 29th
We were promised an elite offense this preseason. I drafted as such. But the Steelers offense has looked extremely similar to that of last season. Kenny Pickett has not been good, but may have quelled the critics for a bit with his clutch throw to George Pickens last week against the hated Ravens. But for me, its about the defense here. Everyone will point to TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, as you should, but there really hasn’t been a ton of other bright spots for the Steelers early on. They are 3-2 yes, but their type of play is not sustainable. If there was one team I’m circling to come down to earth, its the Steelers.
Grade: C
Baltimore Ravens
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 2-1
+/-: (+34)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 17th
PPG - 17th
RuYds - 4th
RuYds/PG - 4th
PaYds - 23rd
PaYds/PG - 25th
Total Yards - 13th
Yds/PG - 13th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 4th
Pts/G - 3rd
RuYds All. - 9th
RuYds All/PG - 7th
PaYds All. - 3rd
PaYds All/PG - 3rd
Total Yards Allowed - 3rd
Yds All/PG - 2nd
Record Rank - 10th
Offensive Rank - 16th
Defensive Rank - 4th
Composite Rank - 8th
If I was doing tiered rankings, I would put the Ravens in the same category as the Cowboys. The days are done of Baltimore being judged in the regular season. But then you look and they have inexcusable losses to both Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. Their wideouts dropped seven passes last week. Some teams don’t drop seven passes in a year. The defense has been lights out. That’s a fact. Are the Ravens are who we thought they were though?
Grade: B-
Cleveland Browns
Record: 2-2
HomeR: 2-1
AwayR: 0-1
+/-: (+16)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 30th
PPG - 22nd
RuYds - 16th
RuYds/PG - 5th
PaYds - 32nd
PaYds/PG - 30th
Total Yards - 31st
Yds/PG - 19th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 1st
Pts/G - 4th
RuYds All. - 1st
RuYds All/PG - 4th
PaYds All. - 1st
PaYds All/PG - 1st
Total Yards Allowed - 1st
Yds All/PG - 1st
Record Rank - 16th
Offensive Rank - 26th
Defensive Rank - 1st
Composite Rank - 14th
This defense is elite. They’ve given up the least amount of points so far this season and are almost impenetrable against the pass. If their offense was able to get it going, this would be a shoe-in playoff team. However, the injury to Nick Chubb changes things a ton. Then factor in that DeShaun Watson will be missing his second straight game, and I don’t know if there is a path to postseason football in a extremely competitive AFC.
Grade: B
Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (-31)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 26th
PPG - 27th
RuYds - 30th
RuYds/PG - 31st
PaYds - 22nd
PaYds/PG - 24th
Total Yards - 27th
Yds/PG - 31st
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 20th
Pts/G - 19th
RuYds All. - 31st
RuYds All/PG - 31st
PaYds All. - 11th
PaYds All/PG - 11th
Total Yards Allowed - 22nd
Yds All/PG - 20th
Record Rank - 25th
Offensive Rank - 30th
Defensive Rank - 24th
Composite Rank - 30th
Despite the win against the Cardinals last week, which wasn’t easy, the Bengals have been one of the worst teams in the NFL. Just look at the numbers. 26th in scoring, 31st in rushing. 31st in run defense. Those aren’t the numbers of Bengals teams in years past. They are the biggest disappointment so far in 2023. Joe Burrow was running around last week so hopefully they are back on the right track, but the first month has not been what any Bengals fan would have wanted.
Grade: D-
NFC North
Detroit Lions
Record: 4-1
HomeR: 2-1
AwayR: 2-0
+/-: (+41)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 4th
PPG - 4th
RuYds - 7th
RuYds/PG - 7th
PaYds - 8th
PaYds/PG - 9th
Total Yards - 6th
Yds/PG - 6th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 17th
Pts/G - 15th
RuYds All. - 4th
RuYds All/PG - 3rd
PaYds All. - 18th
PaYds All/PG - 17th
Total Yards Allowed - 7th
Yds All/PG - 7th
Record Rank - 5th
Offensive Rank - 4th
Defensive Rank - 9th
Composite Rank - 4th
The Lions have completely flipped the script. Ranking Top 5 in offense and Top 10 in defense is really incredible. We should’ve known how good this team is after their opening win in Arrowhead, but we credited that to no Travis Kelce and no Chris Jones. All they’ve done since is go 3-1 and look extremely comfortable in doing so. Make no mistake - the Lions have their eyes on the Lombardi.
Grade: A+
Green Bay Packers
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (0)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 12th
PPG - 13th
RuYds - 26th
RuYds/PG - 27th
PaYds - 19th
PaYds/PG - 18th
Total Yards - 24th
Yds/PG - 27th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 19th
Pts/G - 18th
RuYds All. - 26th
RuYds All/PG - 26th
PaYds All. - 10th
PaYds All/PG - 10th
Total Yards Allowed - 18th
Yds All/PG - 17th
Record Rank - 20th
Offensive Rank - 21st
Defensive Rank - 20th
Composite Rank - 21st
The Packers are weird. One week you watch them and say that their is something there. And then you watch them against Detroit and Las Vegas and scratch your head. Here is the reality - this is an extremely young team going through some growing pains. Love has accuracy issues, but what “rookie” doesn’t. Their defense is young as well as their skill players. The Packers will be the hardest team to judge week in and week out.
Grade: C
Minnesota Vikings
Record: 1-4
HomeR: 0-3
AwayR: 1-1
+/-: (-12)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 16th
PPG - 15th
RuYds - 27th
RuYds/PG - 29th
PaYds - 3rd
PaYds/PG - 2nd
Total Yards - 9th
Yds/PG - 9th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 23rd
Pts/G - 22nd
RuYds All. - 13th
RuYds All/PG - 13th
PaYds All. - 23rd
PaYds All/PG - 21st
Total Yards Allowed - 20th
Yds All/PG - 18th
Record Rank - 25th
Offensive Rank - 14th
Defensive Rank - 21st
Composite Rank - 20th
No one wanted to believe last year was a fluke. But 11-0 in one score games was not sustainable. And its showing this year. There are heavy, heavy talks of the Vikings blowing it up, and the rumblings will only grow with their GM at the USC game last night watching Caleb Williams. There could be a massive sell-off here before Halloween, and it may be the smart thing to do.
Grade: D
Chicago Bears
Record: 1-4
HomeR: 0-2
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (-42)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 10th
PPG - 11th
RuYds - 9th
RuYds/PG - 9th
PaYds - 16th
PaYds/PG - 17th
Total Yards - 14th
Yds/PG - 14th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 30th
Pts/G - 30th
RuYds All. - 11th
RuYds All/PG - 11th
PaYds All. - 31st
PaYds All/PG - 31st
Total Yards Allowed - 30th
Yds All/PG - 29th
Record Rank - 27th
Offensive Rank - 10th
Defensive Rank - 30th
Composite Rank - 22nd
The Bears have shown signs of life the last weeks, with last Thursdays effort resulting in a win. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This is a bad football team. The defense is weak and the offense was not able to generate anything before games agains the Broncos and the Commanders, who rank 32nd and 28th in defense respectively. Call me a skeptic, but I need to see Justin Fields do it against an average defense. This is a failure of a season so far for the Bears.
Grade: F
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 1-2
AwayR: 2-0
+/-: (+3)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 19th
PPG - 19th
RuYds - 14th
RuYds/PG - 14th
PaYds - 11th
PaYds/PG - 11th
Total Yards - 10th
Yds/PG - 10th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 13th
Pts/G - 12th
RuYds All. - 7th
RuYds All/PG - 5th
PaYds All. - 29th
PaYds All/PG - 26th
Total Yards Allowed - 21st
Yds All/PG - 19th
Record Rank - 13th
Offensive Rank - 13th
Defensive Rank - 16th
Composite Rank - 12th
The Jags haven’t hit their stride yet. You can just tell by watching them. Nothing is coming easy. But talented teams find ways to win, and the Jaguars are sitting at 3-2 in a surprisingly competitive AFC South. No one would have thought though that its the defense early on carrying the offense. I know the stats tell a different story, but the Jags haven’t been able to put the ball in the end zone like they’ve wanted. One thing is certain.- they wont coast to a division title like everyone thought.
Grade: B
Indianapolis Colts
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 1-2
AwayR: 2-0
+/-: (+5)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 9th
PPG - 10th
RuYds - 8th
RuYds/PG - 8th
PaYds - 14th
PaYds/PG - 14th
Total Yards - 12th
Yds/PG - 12th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 22nd
Pts/G - 21st
RuYds All. - 18th
RuYds All/PG - 19th
PaYds All. - 30th
PaYds All/PG - 27th
Total Yards Allowed - 29th
Yds All/PG - 27th
Record Rank - 12th
Offensive Rank - 8th
Defensive Rank - 26th
Composite Rank - 17th
Indianapolis has been surprisingly good these first five weeks. They are extremely good up front, and were able to sustain a running game while they sorted out the Jonathan Taylor situation. It’s going to be difficult without Anthony Richardson for the unforeseeable future, but Gardner Minshew is a more than capable backup. We need to see a little bit more, but this team is definitely in the mix.
Grade: A
Houston Texans
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (+15)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 11th
PPG - 12th
RuYds - 25th
RuYds/PG - 26th
PaYds - 4th
PaYds/PG - 3rd
Total Yards - 11th
Yds/PG - 11th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 12th
Pts/G - 11th
RuYds All. - 16th
RuYds All/PG - 17th
PaYds All. - 18th
PaYds All/PG - 17th
Total Yards Allowed - 18th
Yds All/PG - 17th
Record Rank - 18th
Offensive Rank - 11th
Defensive Rank - 15th
Composite Rank - 16th
Everything about the Texans starts and ends with CJ Stroud. He has unquestionably been the Rookie of the Year thus far. The upstart Texans also rank inside the Top 15 in both offense and defense, and showed people they were no longer a doormat after a 20 point drubbing of their division rival Jaguars. Keep an eye on this team.
Grade: A-
Tennessee Titans
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 2-0
AwayR: 0-3
+/-: (-5)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 23rd
PPG - 25th
RuYds - 17th
RuYds/PG - 18th
PaYds - 25th
PaYds/PG - 27th
Total Yards - 20th
Yds/PG - 23rd
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 10th
Pts/G - 9th
RuYds All. - 11th
RuYds All/PG - 9th
PaYds All. - 24th
PaYds All/PG - 22nd
Total Yards Allowed - 17th
Yds All/PG - 16th
Record Rank - 21st
Offensive Rank - 24th
Defensive Rank - 14th
Composite Score - 19th
The Titans do what they always do - they make other teams play their game. And that will work during some weeks. But this is a team that has yet to make it to the modern era of football and is battling father time in terms of their competitive clock ticking. Derrick Henry doesn’t seem to have the same juice he’s had in years past an they are nowhere near exciting as the other three teams in their division. Can this team make the playoffs? Maybe. Will they ever make any significant noise? No. Its time for the Titans to start over.
Grade: C
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 3-1
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 2-0
+/-: (+16)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 24th
PPG - 20th
RuYds - 32nd
RuYds/PG - 24th
PaYds - 27th
PaYds/PG - 13th
Total Yards - 32nd
Yds/PG - 21st
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 3rd
Pts/G - 8th
RuYds All. - 6th
RuYds All/PG - 10th
PaYds All. - 4th
PaYds All/PG - 16th
Total Yards Allowed - 2nd
Yds All/PG - 11th
Record Rank - 7th
Offensive Rank - 27th
Defensive Rank - 5th
Composite Rank - 11th
The Bengals are the biggest disappointment. Well, the Bucs are the biggest surprise. Baker Mayfield looks revitalized in Tampa when everyone left him for dead. The defense is still elite. Todd Bowles knows what he’s doing on that side of the ball. And while the offense still figures itself out on the ground, the defense is happy to pick them up. This is a feisty team, and while they may not be a Super Bowl contender yet, its not an automatic “W” on your schedule like you may have thought.
Grade: A+
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 3-0
AwayR: 0-2
+/-: (-13)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 25th
PPG - 26th
RuYds - 13th
RuYds/PG - 12th
PaYds - 20th
PaYds/PG - 22nd
Total Yards - 17th
Yds/PG - 18th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 11th
Pts/G - 9th
RuYds All. - 14th
RuYds All/PG - 15th
PaYds All. - 8th
PaYds All/PG - 8th
Total Yards Allowed - 9th
Yds All/PG - 8th
Record Rank - 14th
Offensive Rank - 20th
Defensive Rank - 7th
Composite Rank - 13th
All off-season I clamored for the Falcons to inquire about Lamar. They told the world that Desmond Ridder was their guy. Here’s a proclamation that probably isn’t a world shocker; if the Falcons had an above average quarterback, they would be a Super Bowl contender. This defense is absolutely for real and has players at every level. Bijan Robinson is a human joystick while their receivers are oozing with talent waiting to be unleashed. Maybe Desmond Ridder is good. Maybe he’s not. The fact that we don’t know yet is quite frankly the issue.
Grade: B
New Orleans Saints
Record: 3-2
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 2-1
+/-: (+20)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 20th
PPG - 21st
RuYds - 18th
RuYds/PG - 20th
PaYds - 21st
PaYds/PG - 23rd
Total Yards - 21st
Yds/PG - 24th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 5th
Pts/G - 5th
RuYds All. - 10th
RuYds All/PG - 8th
PaYds All. - 5th
PaYds All/PG - 4th
Total Yards Allowed - 5th
Yds All/PG - 4th
Record Rank - 12th
Offensive Rank - 22nd
Defensive Rank - 3rd
Composite Rank - 9th
New Orleans has the same issue they had last season. This team has a Super Bowl worthy defense, but their offense is constantly stuck in the mud. Derek Carr was supposed to change that. And last week was the first week they looked like they had a pulse, but that was against the Patriots. We need to see it on a more consistent basis before we call the Saints contenders, but they are trending in the right direction.
Grade: B+
Carolina Panthers
Record: 0-5
HomeR: 0-2
AwayR: 0-3
+/-: (-53)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 22nd
PPG - 24th
RuYds - 19th
RuYds/PG - 21st
PaYds - 20th
PaYds/PG - 21st
Total Yards - 19th
Yds/PG - 24th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 27th
Pts/G - 27th
RuYds All. - 25th
RuYds All/PG - 25th
PaYds All. - 6th
PaYds All/PG - 6th
Total Yards Allowed - 13th
Yds All/PG - 13th
Record Rank - 32nd
Offensive Rank - 23rd
Defensive Rank - 18th
Composite Rank - 28th
Like John mentioned in his rookie report card, I feel like this team gets an incomplete. They are bad. I’m not trying to not say that. But I think with a more competent offensive line there was a win or two in there so far. Their statistics aren’t awful but they aren’t scaring anyone. I will say this; the fact that Frank Reich wanted a different QB and they are the last winless team is not a coincidence. The front office seems to be the overarching problem in Carolina.
Grade: F
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 5-1
HomeR: 2-1
AwayR: 3-0
+/-: (+59)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 5th
PPG - 9th
RuYds - 6th
RuYds/PG - 15th
PaYds - 2nd
PaYds/PG - 7th
Total Yards - 2nd
Yds/PG - 7th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 8th
Pts/G - 2nd
RuYds All. - 18th
RuYds All/PG - 12th
PaYds All. - 16th
PaYds All/PG - 5th
Total Yards Allowed - 19th
Yds All/PG - 5th
Record Rank - 3rd
Offensive Rank - 6th
Defensive Rank - 8th
Composite Rank - 3rd
It’s scary when a team isn’t playing their best and are still the class of the conference. That’s the Chiefs. Nobody, including themselves would tell you that they are operating where they want to. But they still have a Top 10 offense. The difference this year is that their defense is very, very good. I won’t call them elite yet, but the duo of L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie is a top unit in the league.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 2-2
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 1-1
+/-: (+6)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 15th
PPG - 7th
RuYds - 19th
RuYds/PG - 13th
PaYds - 13th
PaYds/PG - 6th
Total Yards - 19th
Yds/PG - 5th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 14th
Pts/G - 23rd
RuYds All. - 8th
RuYds All/PG - 14th
PaYds All. - 22nd
PaYds All/PG - 32nd
Total Yards Allowed - 12th
Yds All/PG - 31st
Record Rank - 17th
Offensive Rank - 9th
Defensive Rank - 22nd
Composite Rank - 18th
The Chargers are the following meme:
“Whenever I think I’m out, they pull me back in.”
Team starts off 0-2, then wins two in a row with Khalil Mack taking a dive in the Lazarus Pit (Batman shout out) for at least one week is nice. But can we get a little consistency?
Grade: B
Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (-35)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 27th
PPG - 29th
RuYds - 31st
RuYds/PG - 32nd
PaYds - 15th
PaYds/PG - 16th
Total Yards - 25th
Yds/PG - 29th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 21st
Pts/G - 20th
RuYds All. - 22nd
RuYds All/PG - 22nd
PaYds All. - 12th
PaYds All/PG - 12th
Total Yards Allowed - 15th
Yds All/PG - 14th
Record Rank - 25th
Offensive Rank - 29th
Defensive Rank - 19th
Composite Rank - 26th
The definition of “meh”. The defense has slightly improved, but the Raiders still have their issues. They are one of two teams who have yet to eclipse the 20 point mark this season. Throw in their offense has Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers and that is an absolutely inexcusable statistic. However, they are 2-3 and have a favorable schedule coming up. Lets see if they can take advantage of it.
Grade: C
Denver Broncos
Record: 1-5
HomeR: 0-3
AwayR: 1-2
+/-: (-71)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 9th
PPG - 18th
RuYds - 10th
RuYds/PG - 18th
PaYds - 9th
PaYds/PG - 19th
Total Yards - 7th
Yds/PG - 20th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 32nd
Pts/G - 32nd
RuYds All. - 32nd
RuYds All/PG - 32nd
PaYds All. - 32nd
PaYds All/PG - 29th
Total Yards Allowed - 32nd
Yds All/PG - 32nd
Record Rank - 29th
Offensive Rank - 15th
Defensive Rank - 32nd
Composite Rank - 31st
There is nothing to say here that hasn’t already been said. If the Giants weren’t a pee-wee team, we would be highlighting Sean Payton and Russell Wilson a ton more than we are. I don’t care if he’s playing better, he’s making an absurd amount of money. The QB gets all the praise when they win. He’s deservedly getting killed as they are the in the pits of hell in the AFC.
Grade: F
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 5-0
HomeR: 3-0
AwayR: 2-0
+/-: (+99)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 2nd
PPG - 2nd
RuYds - 3rd
RuYds/PG - 3rd
PaYds - 7th
PaYds/PG - 8th
Total Yards - 4th
Yds/PG - 3rd
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 2nd
Pts/G - 1st
RuYds All. - 3rd
RuYds All/PG - 2nd
PaYds All. - 13th
PaYds All/PG - 13th
Total Yards Allowed - 4th
Yds All/PG - 3rd
Record Rank - 1st
Offensive Rank - 2nd
Defensive Rank - 2nd
Composite Rank - 1st
Whatever you want to say they are, they are. Are they Thanos with the Infinity Stones? Yes. Are they Optimus Prime. Yes. Are they Danerys Targaryen with all of her dragons. Yes. Are they all these things combined? Also yes. They are the unquestioned best team in the NFL right now. And oh, Brock Purdy is the MVP.
Grade: A+
Seattle Seahawks
Record: 3-1
HomeR: 1-1
AwayR: 2-0
+/-: (+20)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 14th
PPG - 6th
RuYds - 23rd
RuYds/PG - 17th
PaYds - 29th
PaYds/PG - 15th
Total Yards - 29th
Yds/PG - 18th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 9th
Pts/G - 18th
RuYds All. - 5th
RuYds All/PG - 6th
PaYds All. - 17th
PaYds All/PG - 30th
Total Yards Allowed - 8th
Yds All/PG - 23rd
Record Rank - 6th
Offensive Rank - 19th
Defensive Rank - 13th
Composite Rank - 10th
After a shocking Week 1 loss to a *not bad* Rams team, the Seahawks haven’t lost. Their defense has been surprisingly effective and Geno continues to incorporate the new pieces into the offense. This is a playoff team. They are good. Pete Carroll has done an unbelievable job.
Grade: B+
Los Angeles Rams
Record: 2-3
HomeR: 0-2
AwayR: 2-1
+/-: (+4)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 13th
PPG - 14th
RuYds - 20th
RuYds/PG - 21st
PaYds - 6th
PaYds/PG - 5th
Total Yards - 8th
Yds/PG - 8th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 18th
Pts/G - 17th
RuYds All. - 19th
RuYds All/PG - 19th
PaYds All. - 15th
PaYds All/PG - 15th
Total Yards Allowed - 16th
Yds All/PG - 15th
Record Rank - 19th
Offensive Rank - 7th
Defensive Rank - 17th
Composite Rank - 15th
Everyone counted this team out. I still probably can’t name five guys on their defense. But this season has proved one thing - Sean McVay is a Top 5 NFL coach. The guy gets his team ready to play every week, and he’s very good at finding diamonds in the rough. The latest crowned jewel? Puka Nacua. The Rams will be around in December.
Grade: B
Arizona Cardinals
Record: 1-4
HomeR: 1-2
AwayR: 0-2
+/-: (-28)
Offensive Rankings
Total Points - 18th
PPG - 17th
RuYds - 5th
RuYds/PG - 6th
PaYds - 26th
PaYds/PG - 29th
Total Yards - 15th
Yds/PG - 15th
Defensive Rankings
Total Points Allowed - 26th
Pts/G - 26th
RuYds All. - 21st
RuYds All/PG - 21st
PaYds All. - 27th
PaYds All/PG - 25th
Total Yards Allowed - 26th
Yds All/PG - 25th
Record Rank - 26th
Offensive Rank - 17th
Defensive Rank - 27th
Composite Rank - 23rd
The Cardinals are tanking, right? Don’t tell them that. Their record is poor, sure. But at the beginning of the season, they were in every game and even beat the Dallas Cowboys. But the last two weeks have been rough. It seems like reality is setting in. But I think we can all say that this team isn’t as far away as we thought they were.
Grade: C+