2006 NFL Recap: NFC Grades

It's report card time. BleacherReport.com's Kenny MacDonald sizes up the year that was in the NFC.

NFC EAST

Eagles (10-6)

Without McNabb, they still won a playoff game.

Grade: A

Cowboys (9-7)

The Cowboys didn't live up to expectations with their unfortunate first-round postseason exit.

Grade: C

Giants (8-8)

Disappointing season for a talented team. Didn't deserve a playoff bid and exited in the first round.

Grade: D

Redskins (5-11)

They obviously didn't live up to expectations after making the playoffs last season, but they did have a lot of injuries. They were still competitive despite the health issues.

Grade: C-

NFC North

Bears (13-3)

You really can't ask for much more than a trip to the Super Bowl. Even with some key injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the Bears still made it to Miami.

Grade: A

Packers (8-8)

They exceeded everyone's expectations and were able to make strides for the future. Started off the season as contenders for the first pick in the draft.

Grade: B+

Vikings (6-10)

The Vikings struggled near the end of the season and finished with no clear choice for a quarterback of the future. They shuffled Brad Johnson and Tarvaris Jackson in 2006, but the combination produced only 6 wins. The Vikings had high hopes after a hot start but never recovered following a Monday Night Football meltdown at home versus New England.

Grade: D

Lions (3-13)

Their performance against the Cowboys made Lions fans wonder where the offense had been all year. There were some games in which they threw up 30+ points and others in which they failed to move the ball at all. Still, I think the Lions are a talented team bound for better things.

Grade: D+

NFC South

Saints (10-6)

What can you say about the Cinderella story of the year? The Saints far exceeded everyone's expectations and were a competitive team. The loss in the NFC Championship didn't obscure the true victory: of life and hope returned to the city of New Orleans. This team is very talented and a top contender for the future.

Grade: A+

Panthers (8-8)

A very disappointing season for the Panthers. They were an NFC favorite at the beginning of the year but only produced a .500 record. They also left the season with questions at the quarterback position. I myself am a Jake Delhomme fan—but the Carolina faithful don't seem to agree.

Grade: D+

Falcons (7-9)

The Falcons never got off the ground in 2006. They had a couple of terrible losses to the Lions and Browns in consecutive weeks, and the team didn't ever seem to recover. They were blown out twice by the division-champion Saints. The season ended with the question of the offseason still unanswered: Can the Falcons contend for a championship with Michael Vick as their quarterback?

Grade: D 

 Bucs (4-12)

The season got off to a rough start with the loss of quarterback Chris Simms—and the Bucs never regained their postseason form from 2005. In my opinion, they should have used Tim Rattay immediately after Simms' injury. He shined in his last few games and would have given Tampa a better chance to win.

Grade: D

NFC West 

Seahawks (9-7)

The Seahawks were a disappointing team in the regular season, but made up for it in the playoffs. They picked up a fortunate win versus the Cowboys in the first round and were barely beaten by the eventual NFC Champion Chicago Bears in a hostile environment at Soldier Field. They struggled at times, but shone when it counted.

Grade: B-

Rams (8-8)

At times the Rams looked like the old "Greatest Show On Turf"...and at other times they looked like a doormat in the NFC. Their inconsistency led to a .500 record, and they failed to make the playoffs because of tiebreakers. Still, they could be contenders next season.

Grade: B-

49ers (7-9)

Outside of New Orleans, the Niners were the most impressive team in the NFC in 2006. They were supposed to win three games at most and get the number-one pick for the second time in three years—but the players and coaches thought otherwise. They won seven football games and were very competitive. After some early season blowouts, they recovered to pick up three huge wins—two against the Seahawks and one against the Broncos. They have a great offense for the future with Alex Smith, Vernon Davis, and Frank Gore. A little help for the defense and this could be a playoff team next season.

Grade: A

Cardinals (5-11)

At times they looked like a doormat and at other times—versus the 49ers in particular—they looked like a team for the future. The Cards were impressive in division games, but otherwise showed their inexperience. Their offense appears to be set for the future with Matt Leinart, Edgerrin James, Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald. Look for Arizona to contend for the NFC West crown next year.

Grade: C-

And so that's about it for my NFC evaluations. Check back next week for my take on the AFC.