Another NFL season has flown by to quick. From the first snap of the season to the last snap, it was all very memorable. Some teams had great seasons. Others, not so much. Let’s take a look at an seperate the good teams from the bad teams grade wise.
AFC East
Patriots: A+
This year the Patriots achieved the NFL’s ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.
Bills: B
The Bills won 3 more games this year than last year, there were not a lot of people who saw that coming because their very good young defensive player Kiko Alonzo missed the entire season.
Dolphins: C
Some people expected the Dolphins to be a playoff team this year. Even though they didn’t have an awful season, they didn’t do what they were capable of doing.
Jets: D+
The Jets had 4 more wins last year than this year. With the additions of Eric Decker and Chris Johnson, Geno Smith was supposed to show improvement. But he just like the Jets season was a disaster
AFC North
Steelers: B-
The Steelers won their first division title since 2010. There was a lot of pressure on this team to get back in to the playoffs. Even though they had an early playoff exit, they still managed to win 11 games.
Bengals: C+
The way I view it, the Bengals had a very disappointing season. We all know they are capable of making the playoffs. But for them, they have to prove to people they can make a deep playoff run, or let alone even win a playoff game. Andy Dalton is still win less in the playoffs.
Ravens: B
After a down year, the Ravens got back into the postseason. I think it’s impressive that they managed to make the playoffs (and win a game in the playoffs) in their first year without Ray Rice, who was considered there best offensive player for a very long time. Lucky for them, they found a new stud at running back in Justin Forcett
Browns: C
The Browns won 3 more games this year than they did last year. Not only that, but they were in contention for the AFC North crown for a big chunk of the year.
AFC South
Colts: B +
Everyone wanted to know if the Colts could make a deep playoff run, or if they were just a regular season team. Andrew Luck made his first ever conference championship game this year and I think that can be considered a success
Texans: C+
The Texans won 7 more games this year than last year that is a humongous improvement. They almost even made the playoffs.
Titans: D
The Titans won 7 less games this year than they did last year. They cannot be happy with a 2-14 season
Jaguars D +
No one really expected the Jaguars to do much this year. But their rookie QB Blake Bortles had a disappointing rookie season. The highly touted rookie didn’t even manage to throw for 3,000 yards. He had 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, not impressive at all.
AFC West
Broncos B
In my opinion, it was Super Bowl or bust for this team. They made a lot key moves in free agency. (Signed DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, TJ Ward, and Emmanuel Sanders) They also got there star offensive lineman Ryan Clady back for a full season. This team was going all in, and they didn’t even manage to win a playoff game
Chargers C +
The Chargers missed the playoffs this year, a year after making the postseason and going to the divisional round. All they needed to do to make the postseason again was to beat Chase Daniels in week 17, and they blew it.
Chiefs C +
The Chiefs missed the playoffs this year, a year after making the postseason.
Raiders D
I thought the Raiders could have been a decent team this year with Derek Carr and some of the new defensive players they signed in FA. But as you probably know they were one of the worst teams in the NFL this year. On the bright side for the raiders, Derek Carr and Kahail Mack both have bright futures.
Cowboys A –
No one gave the Cowboys a chance to even contend for a playoff spot this year. But out of nowhere they want 12-4 and an astonishing 8-0 on the road. The Cowboys were 19th in the NFL this year in yards allowed per game. A big improvement from last year, where they were statistically one of the worst defenses in NFL history.
Eagles B-
You might be wondering why I have the Eagles a B- even though they missed the playoffs. My reasoning is because they still managed to win 10 games with their starting QB missing 8 games.
Giants C-
The Giants only managed to win 6 games this year. But on the bright side for the Giants, Odell Beckham will probably be a superstar in the future.
Redskins D+
With notable off-season additions like DeSean Jackson and Jason Hatcher, this team was supposed to contend for the NFC East crown. RG3 also had a full off-season to get healthy for this season.
NFC North
Packers B+
In my opinion, it was Super Bowl or bust for this team. If Aaron Rodgers wants to be considered one of the best QBs ever, he has to win another title. He failed to do that this year.
Lions B
The Lions got back into the postseason this year that is why I consider this year a success for the Lions.
Vikings C
The Vikings went 7-9 this year. Considering that there star RB Adrian Peterson missed all but one game and they played a big chunk of the year with a rookie QB starting, 7 wins isn’t awful at all.
Bears C-
When you have Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey, Bennett and Matt Forte all on one team, you are supposed to contend for a playoff spot. The Bears didn’t even manage to win 6 games.
NFC South
Panthers B
I know they didn’t even manage to win 8 games in the regular season, but they still managed to make the divisional round. Cam Newton needed to silence his critics by winning a playoff game, and he managed to win his first ever.
Falcons C
A few years ago, the Falcons were one of the best teams in the NFC. They have fallen off so much ever since. For the second year in a row, the Falcons failed to make the playoffs
Saints C-
The Saints went 11-5 last year. You would think that they would be even better because of the Jairus Byrd signing. I considered it Super Bowl or bust for this team. They didn’t even win 8 games this year, very disappointing year for the Saints.
Buccaneers C-
The Buccaneers had a very good off-season (signing Alterraun Verner and drafting Mike Evans) This team had high expectations (Sports Illustrated picked them to win the NFC South) No one expected them to be the worst team in the NFL.
NFC West
Seahawks A
The Seahawks became the first team to play in two superbowls in a row since the Patriots in 2005. And they were extremely close to repeating as Super Bowl champs.
49ers C-
The 49ers made the NFC title game 3 years in a row. It was time for them to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl. It was nothing but a disaster for the 49ers and former 49er coach Jim Harbaugh
Cardinals B
For the first time since 2009, the Arizona Cardinals made the playoffs. The fact they made the playoffs isn’t completely shocking considering that they won 10 games last year. But if it wasn’t for Carson Palmers injury, I think the Cardinals could have won the NFC. (They were undefeated when Carson Palmer started).
Rams B
The Rams played great without Sam Bradford and proved their defense is legit. All they need is offensive pieces to make them even more dangerous.
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