NFL: Midseason grades

Published: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 10:20 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

So how is your favorite NFL team doing so far this season?

With the 2009 season hitting its midway point for several teams today, it can be hard to tell from week to week. A team like the Cardinals can drill the Giants in a big Sunday night game, and then get routed by the lowly Panthers the following week. The Eagles can lose to the Raiders, but be 5-1 against the rest of their schedule.

No matter how maddening it can be to follow this league, you can't judge a team on one week, no matter how good or bad it looks. You have to consider a team's entire body of work. So with most teams hitting the midway point in their seasons today, let's hand out some midterm grades today.

Here's how I'd grade each of the 32 teams:

Colts (A+): They've overcome injuries — which continue to pile up — to key players to stay perfect on the year. They've won 16 straight regular-season games, and Peyton Manning is making a strong bid for a second straight MVP award.

Story continues below

Saints (A+): No other team has been as fun to watch this season. Their offense can score from anywhere on the field, and their defense makes a lot of plays and scores points. Drew Brees looks deserving of the MVP award.

Vikings (A-): The Packers' trash is the Vikings' treasure in a 40-year-old quarterback who can still make plays. Brett Favre was the team's missing piece, and Minnesota might just win its first Super Bowl title.

Broncos (A-): Don't worry about last week's blowout loss to the Ravens. The Broncos have defied expectations and are sound in all phases of the game.

Bengals (A-): The Cardiac Cats are another surprise team this season. They've recorded three come-from-behind wins, and quarterback Carson Palmer is looking like the Carson Palmer of old.

Patriots (B+): Tom Brady is looking more comfortable, and the Patriots are coming off a 59-0 win over Tennessee and a 35-7 victory over Tampa Bay. Yep, they're dangerous and explosive again.

Steelers (B+): The Super Bowl champions have gotten everyone's best shot and they've handled it well. They're a couple of missed field goals away from being undefeated.

Cowboys (B+): They have to be considered a serious contender in the NFC after winning three straight games. Tony Romo is making good decisions and making plays.

Texans (B+): They have one of the best passing tandems in the league in quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson. Their supporting cast is slowly improving.

Recent comments

i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

Cowboys | Nov. 9, 2009 at 11:29 p.m.

Image
Matt Bush, Associated Press

Running back Pierre Thomas has helped the high-scoring Saints earn the high honor roll.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

Speaking of lights... I like how the LDS Church has a tradition of lighting...

I used to be a student at BYU-H some years ago and worked at the PCC as a...

Utes fall to Seattle U. at home

in the comment section. You can't write something candid and truthful or...

So what party to you think Palin should associate with? Her own GOP has...

BYU has slim shot at BCS

Yeh Go UTS! Win State! Beat that 5A high school! Go UTS.

4 years in the US Navy and I never saw a sidearm anywhere except for those...

Lampropoulos in Senate race

At least he isn't Sen. Bennett. Anyone at this point would be better than...

BYU ties give Utes an edge

Wide struggles to get 50 yards against the BYU run defense, his little...

Nothing sad here at all. I would rather see this noble ship turned into a...

"RE: MormonDem | 4:27 p.m." said "it does NOT matter how many believe in...

Advertisements