NFL Report Cards: Team-by-Team Grades for Week 14
The table is being set.
Thanks to the NFL's scheduling convention of putting divisional games toward the end of the season and the parity which has run rampant throughout the league this year, there are dozens of teams still "in the hunt," at least mathematically speaking. Divisional races, too, are still mostly undecided, though many can be settled in the coming weeks thanks to the leaders' efforts in Week 14.
For the true haves and have nots of the NFL, the time for realistically changing their stars is over. Those who sit atop the NFL pecking order would need to collapse in historic fashion to not—at the very least—make the playoffs, while those sitting at the bottom have already started casting one eye toward the draft.
The playoff picture will take front and center in the next couple of weeks, and Week 14 did a fantastic job of framing the shot. A click ahead will take you to the grades of every single NFL team's efforts.
Criteria for Grading
- Coaching decisions and how a team performed on offense, defense and special teams.
- The caliber of opponent the team was facing.
- The atmosphere played in: at home, away, weather, etc.
Not Considered
- Excuses. I grade the team on the field, not the ideal squad that could have been out there without injuries, suspensions, etc.
- Expectations. If everyone picked your favorite team to lose and it won, that doesn't mean it gets an A+ grade.
- Results. A team can look really bad and win a game, while another team can look great in defeat. While it's true that winners will often trend higher than losers from week to week, that doesn't mean all of the winners get good grades, while the losers get bad ones.
Each team also gets a cumulative mark, which averages grades thus far in the current season. This will be a running metric all season long. A reminder, though, that this is simply an average. Teams that are playing well right now but did poorly in the past (and vice versa) will have those past efforts equally rated in their grades. For a snapshot look at how a team is performing at this moment, Matt Miller's power rankings are a great resource.
Grab your red pens. We're on to the grades!
Arizona Cardinals (10-3)
1 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Kansas City Chiefs 17-14
This might be one of the most difficult games of the season to grade on play rather than expectations or result. Frankly, watching this game, the end made me feel far more like an A than a B, but one in my situation has to grade both halves and the play of the entire team, and that drops things back to earth quite a bit.
That's not saying the Cardinals shouldn't feel great about this win (because they absolutely should). It revives hopes that they can win the NFC West with quarterback Drew Stanton under center and puts them in a great position with a tough schedule ahead.
Week 14 Grade: B
2014 Cumulative: B-
Week 15 Opponent: St. Louis Rams (Away)
Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
2 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Green Bay Packers 43-37
This is easily one of the highest grades I've given in a loss this season, and the Falcons had plenty of moments (especially on defense, and especially early on) when it didn't look like a B+ kind of game, but Atlanta went toe-to-toe with the best team in the NFL at Lambeau Field and darn near stole a game from them.
Think of it this way: The Falcons just had the exact sort of game the New England Patriots did and actually performed better against the Packers than Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Co. did on offense.
The offensive line stood up better than most expected. Quarterback Matt Ryan had a fine night with a few errors thanks to the fact no one on the Packers could really cover wide receiver Julio Jones, who had 259 receiving yards on the night.
I could drop the score a little because of the defensive efforts, but against the Packers offense things could've gone much worse for Atlanta.
Week 14 Grade: B+
2014 Cumulative: C+
Week 15 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers (Home)
Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
3 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Miami Dolphins 28-13
Much of the Dolphins' recent success had been based around the improving efforts of their offensive line. The Ravens shattered that progress Sunday and embarrassed the Dolphins pass blocking (using that word loosely) with six sacks and nine quarterback hits.
The defense drove the train, but the offense got out of the way as well. That's an important facet of this win and is what needs to happen if the Ravens want to finish the season strong and get a playoff win.
Week 14 Grade: B+
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars (Home)
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Buffalo Bills (7-6)
4 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Denver Broncos 24-17
There wasn't anything in the Bills' effort that caused them to lose this game. This was simply a case of throwing everything you have against a better team and coming up short. The Bills defense has had some speed bumps this season, but games like this make it clear they're among the best units in the league and things should trend upward next season.
As for the offense, well...that's another story. If the offense were able to hold its own weight, this is likely a win for Buffalo. But holding Peyton Manning and Co. is more than acceptable for the defensive side of the ball, whereas scoring only 17 is the unacceptable part.
Week 14 Grade: B
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Green Bay Packers (Home)
Carolina Panthers (4-8-1)
5 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. New Orleans Saints 41-10
Who saw this coming?
The NFC South has been a mess this year, but the Panthers already dropped a game to the Saints in Charlotte and the Saints are famous for being solid at home—even while they'd dropped the last couple of games there.
Even if you saw a close game or a Panthers victory, 41-10?
Quarterback Cam Newton was fantastic with three touchdowns, but this was a total-team victory for the Panthers with the rushing attack and defense pitching in as much as they've done all season.
Week 14 Grade: A+
2014 Cumulative: C
Week 15 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Home)
Chicago Bears (5-8)
6 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Dallas Cowboys 41-28
As a team, the Bears picked up where they left off against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, and that's not a good thing. Yet, it was almost the opposite kind of script against the Dallas Cowboys, which seems even worse for the Bears, as it's as if they can lose in a dozen different ways.
Quarterback Jay Cutler wasn't as much of an issue against against the Cowboys, but it was the defense that was absolutely atrocious. Running back Matt Forte has continued a season when it looks like his explosiveness is going. He gets enough touches and will be productive because he's still talented, but the longer runs are fewer and further between.
Week 14 Grade: F
2014 Cumulative: C-
Week 15 Opponent: New Orleans Saints (Home)
Cincinnati Bengals (8-4-1)
7 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers 42-21
If anyone is well-versed in watching Bengals games and heard that the team lost 42-21, it would be almost assured that "Bad" Andy Dalton was part of that outcome. In this game, though, Dalton was stellar outside of a fumbled handoff.
It was the Bengals defense that had zero interest in stopping the Steelers in this matchup, as the Bengals loosened their hold on the AFC North.
Week 14 Grade: C
2014 Cumulative: B-
Week 15 Opponent: Cleveland Browns (Away)
Cleveland Browns (7-6)
8 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Indianapolis Colts 25-24
This was a rough game by the Browns offense, though the defense both caused some turnovers from the Colts and also benefited from what seemed more like unforced errors by the other team. The Browns actually had the game mostly locked up in the third quarter when the defense scored on an interception return to make it 21-7, but Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Co. scored a heap of points to get the win.
The second half was a strange mixture of the offense being unable to seal the deal because it just wasn't good enough (quarterback Brian Hoyer was atrocious once again) and the defense seemingly forgetting how to play after its impressive first half.
Week 14 Grade: C-
2014 Cumulative: C+
Week 15 Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals (Home)
Dallas Cowboys (9-4)
9 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Chicago Bears 41-28
The Bears defense had no answer for Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray on any level, as he rolled up 179 yards rushing and 49 yards receiving. The Bears could hardly find him and get a bead on him, let alone tackle him with any real effectiveness.
There was a small moment in the second half when it looked as if the Bears could come back, but kudos to the Cowboys for slamming that door before things got out of hand.
Week 14 Grade: A-
2014 Cumulative: B+
Week 15 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles (Away)
Denver Broncos (10-3)
10 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Buffalo Bills 24-17
This game could've gone much better (read: should've gone much better) for the Broncos.
Quarterback Peyton Manning was 14-of-20 for 173 yards and two interceptions. He didn't take any sacks, but a big part of that was getting the ball out in a rushed manner and the Broncos offense running the ball 29 times.
It was a deliberate slow down of the offense in response to the Bills' defensive ability to apply pressure with only four rushers. That's a win, overall, for the Bills, who forced Peyton Freaking Manning into a run-heavy scheme.
Overall, the Broncos are still showing signs of regression as we head down the stretch.
Week 14 Grade: B
2014 Cumulative: B+
Week 15 Opponent: San Diego Chargers (Away)
Detroit Lions (9-4)
11 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-17
The Lions are on a roll and much of that has to do with the continued solid play of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Against the Buccaneers, he was 26-of-34 for 311 and three touchdowns. Moreover, Stafford was extending plays and using his legs to keep the offense moving down the field even when the Buccaneers were able to get pressure.
Defensively, the Lions pressured Bucs quarterback Josh McCown time and time again, and simply knocked him out of any semblance of effectiveness. For a time, it looked as if Tampa Bay might go toe-to-toe, but the Lions simple wore them down and out of the game.
Week 14 Grade: A
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings (Home)
Green Bay Packers (10-3)
12 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Atlanta Falcons 43-37
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers moved the ball masterfully down the field on the first drive and made it look as if this game was going to be over before it really started, but then the Falcons matched serve. Though the Packers made things look very easy early on, the Falcons were able to keep things close enough that they made the game awfully uncomfortable for the Packers late.
This wasn't quite a trap game for the Packers, but it had a concerning lack of in-game adjustments to stop Falcons receiver Julio Jones or get extra pressure on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. This should not have been the shootout that it was, but Green Bay's execution on offense and special teams always kept it about one step ahead.
Week 14 Grade: B+
2014 Cumulative: B+
Week 15 Opponent: Buffalo Bills (Away)
Houston Texans (7-6)
13 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Jacksonville Jaguars 27-13
This was a weirdly conservative (though effective, I guess) game plan for the Texans. They removed the quarterback position almost entirely from the game (Ryan Fitzpatrick was 13-of-19 for only 135 yards) and let running back Arian Foster move the ball. Foster had 24 carries for 127 yards, and the Texans had 42 carries overall.
Again, it worked...the Texans won.
Still, the Texans are the better team, and though the Jaguars defense has stepped it up in recent weeks, to be so conservative against them shows a lack of conviction and almost a fear of losing. This could've been a much bigger statement win for Houston had it approached the game like the better team it is.
Week 14 Grade: B
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Indianapolis Colts (Away)
Indianapolis Colts (9-4)
14 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Cleveland Browns 25-24
This was a rough game for the Colts, as they barely survived to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Normally one might credit a team like this for its close win, but the Colts are the ones who put themselves in the hole in the first place, so it isn't like they deserve a whole lot of credit.
This game is a totally different animal if Indianapolis cleans up its turnovers and mistakes, and it will need to do just that with games coming up against Houston and Dallas.
Week 14 Grade: C+
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Houston Texans (Home)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11)
15 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Houston Texans 27-13
As said a few slides ago, a big reason this game was so close was the conservativeness of the Texans offense, though the Jaguars did keep both their penalties and their turnovers low. They also did a decent job dealing with the Texans' pressure, and credit goes to quarterback Blake Bortles, who was hit plenty but got rid of the ball and only took a handful of sacks.
Week 14 Grade: C
2014 Cumulative: D+
Week 15 Opponent: Baltimore Ravens (Away)
Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)
16 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Arizona Cardinals 17-14
When does the Andy Reid honeymoon let up?
The Chiefs are 7-6 and could still technically make the playoffs with games against Oakland, Pittsburgh and San Diego left on the docket. Performances like this, though, make that seem awfully unlikely, as the offense isn't holding its own, and the defense is falling apart just enough to not carry the entire weight.
Reid and his staff weren't here when this defense started coming together, and Reid is supposed to be some offensive mastermind who has had plenty of time to craft something better than what he has currently. As for game management, he's among the worst in the league.
Evidence is starting to mount that Reid is part of the problem and not part of the solution in Kansas City.
Week 14 Grade: C-
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Oakland Raiders (Home)
Miami Dolphins (7-6)
17 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Baltimore Ravens 28-13
When everything works well for the Dolphins, they're one of the toughest teams in the league. But that's a fortunate position to be in, because there are very few "any given Sundays" in which everything works well for any NFL team.
This isn't a terrible place long-term for the Dolphins to be, and they're well on their way to breaking into the upper echelon if they continue building on this foundation and potential. In the short-term, it means there are likely days like this ahead—especially against the New England Patriots next week in New England in a must-win game for the potential to win the AFC East.
Week 14 Grade: D+
2014 Cumulative: B-
Week 15 Opponent: New England Patriots (Away)
Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
18 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. New York 30-24 (OT)
The Vikings had a slow start to this game, as the defense struggled to find an answer to the Jets' diverse (almost gadgety) offense that utilized a lot of different runners and looks to hide quarterback Geno Smith while allowing the team to move the ball down the field.
The biggest difference in this game though—and the reason the Jets didn't win (probably by a large margin)—was New York's inability to score in the red zone, which means the Vikings defense tightened up when the Jets were forced to run more traditional sets to attempt to punch it in.
Huge credit, too, to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who threw for 309 yards, including an 87-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime.
Week 14 Grade: B
2014 Cumulative: C+
Week 15 Opponent: Detroit Lions (Away)
New England Patriots (10-3)
19 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. San Diego Chargers 23-14
The Patriots traveled all the way across the country and downed a good Chargers team. Could it have been a little more convincing? Sure. But it was clear on offense, defense and special teams who the better team was, even if it was a slimmer margin than Patriots fans may have liked.
The Patriots are clearly the best team in the AFC right now and probably the second-best in the NFL after the Green Bay Packers. Looking forward, the schedule seems to set up nicely with games against Miami and Buffalo at home and the Jets on the road.
The Patriots need some more convincing play over the next couple of weeks, but they might not lose again this season.
Week 14 Grade: B+
2014 Cumulative: B+
Week 15 Opponent: Miami Dolphins (Home)
New Orleans Saints (5-8)
20 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Carolina Panthers 41-10
This was another terrible home game by one of the most disappointing and underachieving teams in the league. That's not exactly shocking news, but it's just about all that really needs to be said.
However, I will take the time to call out a pet peeve of mine. Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton was credited with 17 tackles. If one actually watches the game, there's no way he got 17 tackles. This is the curse of the friendly stat keeper who will give a tackle-heavy linebacker credit just about every time he's anywhere near the pile. The number of actual tackles he made is much closer to the 11 solo tackles he was credited with.
Moreover, people will use a 17-tackle day as evidence that Lofton had a good game. This couldn't be further from the truth. He was horrible. He got a bunch of tackles because the Panthers were running right at him. He was continually caught in traffic, dragged by ball-carriers and awful in coverage.
Bare tackle numbers without context are one of the worst ways to grade a linebacker's play.
Lofton was this weekend, and has been for much of the season, a huge reason the Saints were so terrible.
Week 14 Grade: F
2014 Cumulative: C
Week 15 Opponent: Chicago Bears (Away)
New York Giants (4-9)
21 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Tennessee Titans 36-7
The Giants let a lot of pent up aggression loose against the Titans on Sunday.
This was a beating in just about every sense of the word. Yet, throughout, there were little glimpses that all was still not well with the Giants, even if they could trounce the lowly Titans in that fashion. The Giants passed far too much for a game like this, and didn't do so as effectively as they should thanks to quarterback Eli Manning's 26-of-42 passing, one touchdown and one interception.
Manning had 260 yards for a 6.2 average, which is less than dominant (putting it mildly).
The positives, though, far outweighed the little criticisms that we can likely come back to in the coming weeks.
Week 14 Grade: A-
2014 Cumulative: C
Week 15 Opponent: Washington (Home)
New York Jets (2-11)
22 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Minnesota Vikings 30-24 (OT)
The Jets acted like they were trying to give this game away long before overtime.
Minnesota couldn't really handle the Jets, nor were they ready for them. It's weird to think that maybe this was a trap game for Minnesota (looking ahead to, who, the Titans?), but the Vikings came out flat on offense and uninspired on defense even after an early interception return for a touchdown.
As bad as the Vikings were, the Jets found ways to be worse.
Week 14 Grade: C
2014 Cumulative: D
Week 15 Opponent: Tennessee Titans (Away)
Oakland Raiders (2-11)
23 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. San Francisco 49ers 24-13
Last week, I literally had no words for the Raiders' ugly loss; this week was a new day.
Quarterback Derek Carr was phenomenal, with 22-of-28 passing for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He only took one sack, as the line protected him, and he dealt with the little pressure well. He hit seven different receivers, but seemed most comfortable with fullback Marcel Reece and tight end Mychal Rivera, who the 49ers just couldn't seem to cover.
The defense, meanwhile, looked like it was still improving. It made life difficult for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and forced two interceptions out of him while sacking him five times and (mostly) bottling him up as a rusher.
Week 14 Grade: B+
2014 Cumulative: D
Week 15 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs (Away)
Philadelphia Eagles (9-4)
24 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Seattle Seahawks 24-14
I can't decide which analogy fits better: Either the Eagles are a primed-and-pumped turbo engine without a driver and a brick on the gas pedal, or they're a jalopy with Mario Andretti behind the wheel.
In the first analogy, the lack of a driver is obviously quarterback Mark Sanchez, who isn't going to stop being Sanchez just because he's putting up bigger numbers for the Eagles. He was pretty terrible against the Seahawks, posting a measly 4.8 yards per attempt.
In the second, Andretti is head coach Chip Kelly, who continues to coach this team like he has the personnel to run the ball as effectively as he wants. But teams like the Seahawks can easily pull the curtain back and reveal that, behind the smoke and mirrors, there isn't a whole lot of talent on either side of the ball for Philadelphia.
Week 14 Grade: C+
2014 Cumulative: B+
Week 15 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys (Home)
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)
25 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Cincinnati Bengals 42-21
Running back Le'Veon Bell: 26 rushes, 185 rushing yards, six receptions, 50 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: 25-of-39 passing, 350 yards, seven different receivers, three touchdowns.
That's the kind of day the Steelers offense had. The Bengals had no answer. They couldn't cover. They couldn't tackle. They couldn't rush the passer. There was no defense.
Week 14 Grade: A+
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons (Away)
San Diego Chargers (8-5)
26 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to New England Patriots 23-14
The Chargers had this game for a couple of distinct moments, but then seemed to let it go just as quickly.
There are a number of ways to subjectively qualify what went wrong. If only quarterback Philip Rivers had been a little less sporadic. If only running back Ryan Mathews had busted another long run or two. If only the defense had figured out Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (even a little).
This was one of those losses that sticks in your craw, because there was so many avenues to win it. Instead, they came up short at every turn.
Week 14 Grade: B-
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: Denver Broncos (Home)
San Francisco 49ers (7-6)
27 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to the Oakland Raiders 24-13
Hey, Jim (can I call you Jim?), maybe it's none of my business, but if you're trying to coach your way out of this job, maybe losing to the Raiders isn't the best way to garner future job offers?
The 49ers looked ill-equipped to handle anything the Raiders did on Sunday, and those are words that should be typed of no team in 2014. The offense is completely stagnant and couldn't even rush the ball with any real effectiveness.
Passing? Let's just not...
Defensively, the 49ers just forgot to cover people coming out of the backfield or matched up on linebackers...they just forgot, and allowed Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to live off of easy passes.
Week 14 Grade: D
2014 Cumulative: C
Week 15 Opponent: Seattle Seahawks (Away)
Seattle Seahawks (9-4)
28 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Philadelphia Eagles 24-14
The Seahawks are playing much better football in recent weeks, and for a road win against a team like the Eagles, this qualifies. Things were closer than maybe they should've been with a couple of fumbles and a defensive lapse here or there, but the positives far outweighed the negatives. The Seahawks are well within striking distance of the NFC West title with three weeks left.
Quarterback Russell Wilson was especially masterful when one remembers the quality of players he is throwing to. He utilized his mobility to avoid the rush and extend plays in ways this team clearly needs to do to survive.
Week 14 Grade: B+
2014 Cumulative: B
Week 15 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers (Home)
St. Louis Rams (6-7)
29 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Def. Washington 24-0
Break up the Rams!
After an atrocious start to the season, the Rams have won three of their last four and have posted two straight shutouts. They have a tough schedule ahead with Arizona and a trip to Seattle left on the schedule. Getting to .500 with two more wins would be an incredible accomplishment with everything the Rams have gone through this season at the quarterback position.
Against Washington, the Rams shut down the run game and sat quarterback Colt McCoy down on the turf six times for sacks and nine other times just for fun. Frankly, it seemed like a lot more.
Week 14 Grade: A
2014 Cumulative: B-
Week 15 Opponent: Arizona Cardinals (Home)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-11)
30 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to Detroit Lions 34-17
The Buccaneers offensive line was not ready for this game, and now quarterback Josh McCown might be ready to contemplate retirement. He was sacked six times and hit 14 extra. These weren't coverage sacks where the Buccaneers couldn't get things going down the field. No, but it seemed as if the Lions somehow found a way to start each play from behind the line of scrimmage, because McCown rarely had even a little time to set up.
Defensively, the Buccaneers didn't have enough horses to match up with the Lions offense and couldn't get to Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who continuously avoided their rush and made them pay time and again for lapses in the secondary.
Week 14 Grade: D
2014 Cumulative: D+
Week 15 Opponent: Carolina Panthers (Away)
Tennessee Titans (2-11)
31 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to New York Giants 36-7
This game could've gone the other way for a bunch of reasons.
If the Titans hadn't turned the ball over three times or lost the turnover battle by not forcing more, this game likely would've been much closer. Had the Titans rushed the ball even a little better, this game could've been more even. If the Titans had protected their quarterbacks (sacked eight times, hit eight more) they might have actually won it.
The Titans are a bad football team, but this was a bad game even by their standards.
Week 14 Grade: F
2014 Cumulative: D
Week 15 Opponent: New York Jets (Home)
Washington (3-10)
32 of 32
Week 14 Outcome: Lost to the St. Louis Rams 24-0
Burn it down.
Burn the whole thing down.
General manager Bruce Allen needs to go.
Head coach Jay Gruden needs to go.
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and the rest of the staff need to go.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III needs to go.
No one from the top on down in this franchise has earned the right to stay. No one seems interested in winning football games. Even if they were, I'm not sure they'd have any idea how to go about that sort of thing.
Week 14 Grade: F
2014 Cumulative: D
Week 15 Opponent: New York Giants (Away)
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