We are at the halfway point of another exciting NFL Season. We’re starting to see the Super Bowl contenders, the playoff hopefuls, and those teams just tanking- possibly for Caleb Williams if he declares for the 2024 NFL Draft. The season will continue to excite and keep fans on their toes with every nail biting surprise the NFL has in store, for the second half, of the 2023 season.
Here are the midseason grades for all 32 teams:
Arizona Cardinals: D-
The Cardinals came into the 2023 season with meager expectations, and so far, it has been a very rough ride in the desert, despite one win against the Dallas Cowboys. Joshua Dobbs did whatever he could with a depleted roster as Kyler Murray recovered from his ACL surgery. Dobbs was recently traded from the Cardinals to the Minnesota Vikings to fill in for an injured Kirk Cousins as Kyler Murray is expected to return in the coming weeks.
Atlanta Falcons: D+
The Falcons have proved themselves to be a very hit-or-miss team in the NFC South. They have either played well or just as easily played badly. Case in point is Desmond Ridder, who has struggled to play well to the midpoint this season. Luckily for the Falcons, the NFC South is still a very wide-open division, where anyone can take it. All it takes is for Atlanta to step up with Taylor Heinicke or continue in this path to embarrassment by the like of the New Orleans Saints or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both have the NFC South crown in their sights.
Baltimore Ravens: A-
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The Baltimore Ravens have been flying pretty high to this midpoint with only a slight loss of altitude early on. Losing J.K. Dobbins was a massive blow, but the team continued to move forward with amazing performances from Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, Gus Edwards, and the strong and always mighty Ravens defense led by Patrick Queen, Roquan Smith, and Kyle Hamilton. If the Ravens continue to play this way, they can potentially be a dark-horse Super Bowl contender.
Buffalo Bills: B-
The Bills have been a mixed bag thus far at midpoint. They can either turn in some great play and completely dominate their opponent, or they can be completely embarrassed in the first half of a game, attempt to come back from behind, and fall just short. Josh Allen continues to be a great leader of this franchise along with Stefon Diggs and the underrated Gabe Davis. The Bill’s defense is also a strong unit that can help this franchise get far in the playoffs- if they can pull it together in that critical first half.
Carolina Panthers: F
It’s been a disastrous first-half start of the season for the Panthers. Even with rookie quarterback Bryce Young giving everything he could to help the Panthers out- along with strong support from Adam Thielen, Hayden Hurst, and Justin Houston. This Panthers team has been held back by their horrendous defense, all season long, and barely snuck in a win, in their week eight performance, against the Houston Texans. Can the Panthers get more wins in the second half of the season? Only time will tell.
Chicago Bears: F
It has been a complete disaster for the Chicago Bears. Even though they were able to get wins over the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders, they have been outplayed and simply humiliated in their games all season. D.J. Moore is a good receiver who deserves a lot better than what he has to deal with in the Windy City. Justin Fields can be a good playmaker, but he needs better coaching and a better offensive line, to protect him.
Cincinnati Bengals: B-
The Bengals started the season slow but were able to wake it up and strike fear in their opponents as the season progressed. Joe Burrow continues to play great, which is reminiscent to 2021 season. He is getting great support from Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd. Trey Hendrickson leads the team with eight sacks so far this season and Logan Wilson had three interceptions so far on the year. The Bengals are a potential dark horse to claim the AFC North and potentially a Super Bowl appearance if they continue to rise to the challenge.
Cleveland Browns: D
The Browns have been a bit of a mess on offense, Deshaun Watson dealing with concussions and PJ Walker throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Yes, they have a 4-3 record so far this season, but a lot of these wins came with the help of the defense, coached by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and led by Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Denzel Ward. The Brown’s defense can take this team to a potential playoff spot if they continue to put fear in opposing offenses.
Dallas Cowboys: B
The Cowboys started the season with a bang with a 40-0 victory over the struggling Giants. Even though the Cowboys dropped games to the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys’ offense is currently led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Tony Pollard while on defense Micah Parsons and former defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore are the leaders against opposing offenses. If the Cowboys continue to play the way they are, could they potentially win the NFC East? Only time will tell how the Boys will do. Sometimes it’s not just about you. Even if the Cowboys finish strong, it also depends on how well the Philadelphia Eagles finish the season.
Denver Broncos: D
Denver has been a mess on all sides of the ball to the midpoint, thus far. It also didn’t help that the Broncos were dropped 70-20 in humiliating fashion to the high-powered Miami Dolphins in week three. The Broncos have gotten good wins over the Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers, and a week eight upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Never the less, there is a lot the Broncos have to fix to become a relevant team to pull themselves up from bottom-feeder status in the AFC West.
Detroit Lions: A-
The Detroit Lions have been playing at a very elite level, so far this season, thanks to the play of Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Alex Anzalone. This Lions team is having fun with Dan Campbell changing the culture of this once-losing franchise into a true winning machine with a lot more to conquer in the second half of the season.
Green Bay Packers: D+
The Packers had low expectations with Jordan Love succeeding Aaron Rodgers as the starting quarterback. Love did lead the Packers to two wins in the season but it has been a disaster in Green Bay as the Packers dropped four games, so far, after an amazing comeback win over the New Orleans Saints in week three. Will Jordan Love improve? He will have to. If the Packers continue to struggle, something has to change to help the Packers return to the kings of the NFC North.
Houston Texans: C
There has been anticipation bubbling up this season for the Texans and they have looked like a potential wildcard team led by C.J. Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans. However, the Texans have dropped key games they should’ve won, as well as, suffering some sound beat downs, by serious opponents, at the beginning of the season. At the end of the day, they are a young and rebuilding franchise looking like they found their new quarterback in Stroud.
Indianapolis Colts: C-
The Colts entered the season as a mystery but looked like a potential wildcard team with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson leading the way. Unfortunately, Richardson suffered a gruesome shoulder injury that required surgery cutting his season to an end and giving the keys to the offense to Gardner Minshew. The Colts have found their leader in Richardson and have great leaders on the team like Michael Pittman Jr., Jonathan Taylor. The emergence of Zack Moss, and Shaquille Leonard in charge on the field, will serve them well.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B-
The Jaguars are no longer that AFC South team other teams pick on, as they have conquered their opponents on the road and across the pond, so far, this season. Trevor Lawrence is looking very good as a true leader while Christian Kirk is a reliable number one receiver in Duval County. The Jaguars’ defense has held up and looks to keep playing well against tougher teams at home and on the road.
Kansas City Chiefs: A-
The Chiefs look to many as a team that can repeat, as Super Bowl champions, due to the performance of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the rise of Isiah Pacheco. On defense, the Chiefs continue to be a force, to be reckoned with, as they have so far secured quarterbacks with George Karlaftis leading the team with six sacks as of Nov. 3. The Chiefs also dropped their week one and week eight games respectively. The Chiefs may look like favorites to win it all, but there’s still a lot more football to go.
Las Vegas Raiders: F+
It has been an absolute circus in Sin City for the Raiders organization. They have fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler after the team’s week eight loss on Monday Night Football. DaVante Adams already wants out of the Raiders franchise as well as potentially losing Josh Jacobs. Las Vegas has a lot of work to do to improve under interim coach Antonio Pierce or just burn the house down and use next season to rebuild.
Los Angeles Chargers: C-
The Chargers are a team that can impress some of the time but has fallen flat most of the time. Justin Herbert has played some decent ball, but Brandon Staley’s coaching has been very questionable as the Chargers have dropped notable games this season despite winning three games so far. Can the Chargers stay relevant in the AFC West? Or will they drop more games? If the losing keeps piling up, Staley may be looking for another job.
Los Angeles Rams: C-
Similar to the LA Chargers, the Rams have played to impressed in some of the matchups. But, when it comes to losing games, the Rams have simply fallen flat or they have just not been able to pull out the win. Most notably their close, but not close enough weeks two, three, and seven losses to the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers respectively. Sean McVay can coach good football but needs more young drafted talent around him instead of giving up draft capital, for big names, if the Rams want to return to glory.
Miami Dolphins: A-
The Dolphins have been lights-out incredible on offense, with Tua Tagovailoa going gangbusters with Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle leading the way against opposing defenses. Tua is truly making a case for a potential MVP type of a season. If he continues to play the way he has this season he can potentially take the Dolphins far in the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings: C
It’s been a hit-or-miss year for Minnesota as the Vikings have lost very close games and have won very close games. Kirk Cousins has played well but suffered a torn Achilles injury during the Viking’s week eight victory over rival Green Bay Packers. This was a devastating blow to a team that wants to return to the playoffs and is dealing with Justin Jefferson out for some time with a hamstring injury, of his own. The Vikings did trade for Joshua Dobbs from Arizona before the trade deadline. Can he help the Vikings stay afloat for a playoff berth? Only time will tell.
New England Patriots: F
The Patriots have been a mess for most of the season. Mac Jones’ play has been inconsistent against teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. Bill Belichick is officially on the hot seat despite winning six Super Bowls for the franchise over the past two decades. It potentially may be time for New England to tear the house down for next season and start over from scratch- if they want to be relevant again.
New Orleans Saints: C+
Out of all of the NFC South teams, the Saints are possibly one of the best teams in the division with Derek Carr getting somewhat of a fresh start in the Big Easy and having great playmakers around him like Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed helping him out. Cameron Jordan continues to lead the Saint’s defense to victory against certain opponents. The Saints need to win more games and not drop those close ones if they want to win the NFC South.
New York Giants: F
The Giants entered the 2023 season with high expectations that they were going to be a playoff team. Instead, it has been an incredibly disappointing season so far for the G-Men. Daniel Jones has been inconsistent and was recently injured in a week five matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The biggest problem for the Giants has been their offensive line which is one of the worst lines in all of football. If the Giants want to see better production from Daniel Jones, fix the offensive line- ASAP!
New York Jets: C+
The New York Jets have entered the 2023 season with a lot of hype with Aaron Rodgers coming to town, but Rodgers tore his Achilles after four plays in week one. Zach Wilson hasn’t been the best to fill in for Rodgers, but he has led Gang Green to victories this season while the Jets’ defense led by C.J. Mosley has been the true leader of this young team. If the defense continues to play tough and physical, they can potentially make it to the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles: A
The Eagles have picked up what they started last season- which is to win and be dominant to everyone they have faced despite dropping a week six game to the New York Jets. After that loss, the Eagles got back to business and dominated their opponents with the play of Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown on offense. Darius Slay and Brandon Graham command the defense against opposing offenses. It’s upwards and onwards from here for the Eagles.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C-
Despite having an elite defense led by T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Joey Porter Jr., the Steeler’s offense has been very inconsistent with Matt Canada’s coaching style. Kenny Pickett can be a leader in the Steel City along with Najee Harris which resulted in wins at close calls but they need to dump Canada and find a better coordinator who will turn that offense around and make them into a true winner for the next season.
San Francisco 49ers: B-
The 49ers have been playing lights-out football on all fronts during the first start of the 2023 season. Then the injuries and inconsistent play from Brock Purdy took its toll, resulting in the 49ers dropping three notable games to the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. The 49ers did trade for Chase Young who had wanted out of Washington for some time and should hopefully rebound in the second half of the season. They will need to, if they want to avoid imploding and missing the playoffs.
Seattle Seahawks: C+
The Seahawks have been somewhat decent on offense thanks to Geno Smith’s play along with Tyler Lockett while the defense is led by Quandre Diggs, Tariq Woolen, and veteran Bobby Wagner. If they continue to play an elite level game, they can potentially take the NFC West, especially, if the 49ers continue to implode. Given the right circumstances, the Seahawks could make a serious playoff run.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C-
The Buccaneers have talented playmakers on all sides of the ball from Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett, and Devin White. However, Baker Mayfield’s play has been holding them back, at times. He has been good at filling the void for a recently retired Tom Brady but good sometimes is not good enough for the long-term solution they need at quarterback. The Bucs may want to draft someone else at quarterback in 2024 or sign/trade in the next season.
Tennessee Titans: D+
The Titan’s offense has been mediocre, with sloppy playing from Ryan Tannehill. He did suffer an ankle injury during the team’s week six loss in London to the Baltimore Ravens. We did get to see Will Levis light it up during the team’s week eight victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Now the question is, can Levis help save the Titans and bring them back to prominence in the second half of the season? We’ll see what happens.
Washington Commanders: D+
The Commanders have been a bit of an inconsistent team in the first half of the season. Sam Howell has played well, at times, and questionably at other times, which has resulted in tough losses for Washington. Terry McLaurin has also played well, so far, along with Daron Payne. The rest of the team needs to step up, in the second half of the season, since as of recently, head coach Ron Rivera is on the hot seat and could be out of DC by next season. We’ll just wait and see if the Commanders can turn things around before it’s too late.
