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NFL Report Card: Grading All 32 Teams Ahead of NFL Week 8
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- NFL Report Card: Grading All 32 Teams Ahead of NFL Week 8
All 32 NFL teams have played six/seven games, so we thought it was fitting to assess their performance so far. Some have earned an A+, while others are flunking their way to an F. How does your team's NFL report card look ahead of Week 8?
Arizona Cardinals : D
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What happened to the Arizona Cardinals? They started the season with back-to-back wins, but they've lost five in a row since. Sure, losing Kyler Murray for the past two starts hasn't helped, yet Jacoby Brissett also led the team's two best passing performances of the season. Does it mean anything? If a 2-5 start ends with the Cardinals landing a top-ten pick, perhaps this is the last we'll see of Murray in Arizona.
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Atlanta Falcons : C+
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Aside from Bijan Robinson , the Atlanta Falcons' offense is a mess right now. Having a top ten defense will keep the Falcons in a lot of games, but their bottom-five offense is an unexpected hindrance after spending so many first-round picks on skill position players. There's at least potential here for dramatic improvement as Michael Penix continues to gain experience, but two games with ten or fewer points is a definite concern.
Baltimore Ravens : F
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The good news is that the Baltimore Ravens couldn't lose this week. The bad news is they're three games back in a competitive AFC North that appears to be improving after recent personnel moves. At what point do the Ravens throw the towel in on 2025 and start viewing this season as an early opportunity to evaluate young players for 2026?
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Related: NFL Power Rankings 2025: Week-by-Week NFL Evaluations of All 32 Teams
Buffalo Bills : B+
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Teams with Super Bowl aspirations aren't supposed to lose two games in a row, especially to teams that missed the playoffs last season. Perhaps a slight losing streak is exactly what the Bills needed to return from their bye week in top form. With matchups against the Chiefs and Buccaneers coming in the next four weeks, we'll get a good feeling for who this Buffalo team wants to be this season.
Carolina Panthers : A-
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The first time we did this exercise, after Week 4, the Panthers had earned a D+. My, how they've changed their fortunes since, and a drastically improved running game is a big reason why. Winners of four of their past five games, the Panthers are allowing almost ten fewer points per game this season than in 2024. If that pace continues, the Panthers could compete for a Wild Card spot, but they'll need more consistency from the QB position first.
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Chicago Bears : B+
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Since starting the season with back-to-back losses, the Bears have won four in a row under first-year coach Ben Johnson. Starting in his second season, Caleb Williams has yet to lead his team to fewer than 20 points in 2025. Chicago's defense has been more concerning, as it allows the fifth-most passing yards per play and the second-most rushing yards per attempt. Yet, their numbers are thrown off by one really ugly dud against Detroit , where they allowed 52 points. As long as that defense doesn't return, Chicago could be in play for a postseason spot.
Cincinnati Bengals : C-
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Not having a better backup quarterback once Joe Burrow initially went down with his injury could end up costing the Bengals a playoff spot, which is exactly what they were trying to avoid. Yet, Joe Flacco has only been in Cincinnati for two weeks, and he already looks like a major improvement over Jake Browning . A defense allowing the NFL's second-most points is still a concern, but at least the Bengals can try to outscore them with Flacco in the shotgun.
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Cleveland Browns : C-
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It may have just been the Dolphins, but it has to feel good to beat a team by 25 points. Plus, the Browns' 31-point effort was the first time they scored more than 17 points this season. Look, the Browns are only 2-5, but the fact that they're showing progress while playing nearly their entire rookie draft class is a strong sign of things to come.
Dallas Cowboys : B-
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The Cowboys can clearly stick with anyone when it comes to scoring, and we've barely seen them at full strength with Dak Prescott , CeeDee Lamb , and George Pickens working at 100%. Defensively? There are obvious warts, as the Cowboys rank 30th in points allowed. Jerry Jones likes to say that the Parsons trade gave the Cowboys the necessary ammo to trade for upgrades. Perhaps we'll see Dallas make a move if they can get above .500.
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Denver Broncos : B
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A team shouldn't need a 33-point quarter to snatch a win. Yet, the fact that the Broncos were able to take a beating for three quarters, then respond with a refuse to lose attitude, shows what this team is capable of when their backs are against the wall.
Detroit Lions : A-
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The Lions have gotten five wins now, but none were more impressive than their 24-9 takedown of the Buccaneers. It's the second time they've held an opponent to ten or fewer points, but this time they did so against a top-ten offense and a surefire playoff contender. With Jared Goff still leading a top-five scoring offense after Ben Johnson's departure, Detroit's offense hasn't skipped a beat.
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Green Bay Packers : B+
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Consistency is the name of the game, and the Packers' offense has struggled, gaining fewer than 300 yards in three of their games thus far. There have been several scary moments, but the Packers are respectably 4-1-1 with the No. 8 scoring offense and 10th-ranked scoring defense. Plus, we expect this young team to keep improving as the season goes on.
Houston Texans : C-
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Houston has a top-five defense, but their offense hasn't been able to hang. We knew there could be troubles without Joe Mixon and Tank Dell , but few expected the Texans to have a bottom-tier scoring attack. Houston could have a problem here.
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Indianapolis Colts : A+
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If the season ended today, the Colts would have the top seed and a first-round bye on the way to the playoffs. They may not end in first place, but a 6-1 start is far better than anyone expected. Yet, no one has scored more points than the Colts, which makes this start feel pretty sustainable.
Jacksonville Jaguars : B
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Just when it looked like the Jaguars might take a strong step toward competing for a playoff spot, they drop two games in a row. The last loss (a 28-point beatdown) was particularly ugly, showing they're nowhere near in the same stratosphere as the Rams . Perhaps the bye week can get them back on track, but a 4-3 start is still better than most anticipated.
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Kansas City Chiefs: B+
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This is the offense everyone was expecting, with the Chiefs averaging 31.5 points per game across their past four contests. The Chiefs' elite defense has also returned, limiting opponents to the third-fewest points per game. That's a championship recipe, and their 4-3 record is good enough to work with, for now.
Las Vegas Raiders : F
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The Raiders have put together some pathetic performances this season, but none were worse than their 31-0 shutout loss to the Chiefs. It marked the third time the Raiders scored ten or fewer points this season, and they've yet to get more than 24. The Raiders are a mess on both sides of the ball, but we're particularly surprised that Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly's offense is so bad.
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Los Angeles Chargers : B-
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Few teams have dealt with as many injuries as the Chargers have, so kudos for even getting four wins. Yet, we've seen the potential for this team to be one of the best. Two of their three losses have been by two or more possessions, and the defense has allowed an average of 30.6 points per game across their past three contests. Thankfully, there are easier matchups ahead.
Los Angeles Rams: A-
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No Puka Nacua , no problem. The Rams didn't have their top receiver, but they still put up a season-high 35 points playing across the pond in London. As good as this Rams offense is, the defense is even better, as only one team has allowed fewer points through Week 7.
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Miami Dolphins : F
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No one should be surprised by the Dolphins getting an F after falling to 1-6, especially considering they suffered a 25-point loss to the Browns. The Dolphins used to have an elite offense with Mike McDaniel, and we can't place all the blame on Tyreek Hill 's injury. Yet, they're not willing to blame Tua Tagovailoa either, even after his three-interception performance.
Related: Miami Dolphins Could Trade Star Pass-Rusher
Minnesota Vikings : C
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Minnesota's Brian Flores-led defense is back to being elite. Can the offense live up to its potential? We haven't seen it consistently. But Carson Wentz has looked better than the brief appearances from J.J. McCarthy . Still, with an offense that features Justin Jefferson , Jordan Addison , and T.J. Hockenson , it shouldn't take an expert to operate this scoring attack.
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New England Patriots : A+
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Not only is the Patriots' defense a top-five unit after investing heavily in free agency, Drake Maye looks like he's becoming one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. He's leading a top-ten scoring unit, and he's not getting much help from a rushing attack averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. If New England can improve their ground game, we could see them emerge as a top contender in the AFC, and they may already be there.
New Orleans Saints : D
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The Saints' record is about as ugly as they get, but there have been some bright spots along the way. This season was always going to be a rebuilding effort, so the Saints are right on track. While Spencer Rattler has gotten the team just one win, we can't say he's the lone reason for their failures. Still, at some point, the Saints will want to evaluate second-round rookie Tyler Shough too.
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New York Giants : C
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A win over the Broncos could have drastically changed the Giants' outlook, especially after beating the Broncos last week. Still, it's great to see the youngins playing so well. New York may not make a playoff push this season, but they're gaining very valuable experience.
New York Jets : F
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The Jets hoped they could get Justin Fields to take the next step as a passer, but it just hasn't happened for the former first-round pick, and now Tyrod Taylor may get a chance to win over the locker room. Some think he should have been starting all along. Aside from running the ball well, the Jets aren't doing anything well under coach Aaron Glenn.
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Philadelphia Eagles : B+
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A 326-yard, 3 TD performance is exactly what Eagles fans have been waiting to see from Jalen Hurts again. Not only was Hurts efficient (only four incompletions), he averaged a robust 14.2 yards per attempt against the Vikings. The Eagles' offensive line still needs to get back to road grading, as a Saquon Barkley-led rushing attack should not be averaging just 3-3 yards per game, but having a 5-2 record is all that matters.
Pittsburgh Steelers : B+
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Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers couldn't win their latest AFC North battle against the Bengals, but they got close. It was fun to see the Steelers score 31 points again, as we hadn't seen that type of scoring potential since they dropped 34 in Week 1. Tomlin needs the Bengals game to be a fluke, as the Steelers can't keep allowing 33 points and expect to win, but that's why they fell to 4-2 this week.
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San Francisco 49ers : A-
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Mac Jones has somehow led an injury-riddled 49ers team to a 4-1 record in Brock Purdy 's absence, and he's leading the NFL with an average of 280.9 yards per game. Of course, the 49ers are heavily riding Christian McCaffrey on offense, but he's also leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage. If CMC can stay healthy, San Francisco 's scoring attack can keep churning, and the defense has returned to being a top ten unit under Robert Saleh.
Seattle Seahawks : A
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A top-ten offense and defense? The Seahawks look like a surefire playoff contender in Mike Macdonald's second season as head coach, and Sam Darnold leading an explosive scoring attack is a huge reason why. Jaxon Smith-Njigba looks like one of the NFL's best receivers, and the Seahawks look like they may be the class of the NFC West, if not the entire conference.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A-
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Perhaps the Buccaneers' injuries are catching up to them, as Baker Mayfield was only able to lead their top-ten offense to nine points in Detroit. Now Mike Evans is lost for the season, but that should only give Emeka Egbuka even more opportunities. The Bucs now have two losses, but they've both been to top NFC contenders from last season.
Tennessee Titans : F
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The Titans already fired their head coach. Unless they're planning to make a quarterback change away from the No. 1 overall pick, we don't see how else they can create a spark. Cam Ward hasn't brought any magic to Tennessee, not yet anyway. With an offense that ranks dead-last in scoring and a defense that's allowing 27.4 points per game, the Titans look like they're at least a year away from being an NFL team.
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Related: Identifying Tennessee Titans Coaching Candidates to Replace Brian Callahan
Washington Commanders : C-
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Jayden Daniels has been in and out of the lineup due to various injuries, it's led to a tough season. The Commanders came into the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but sitting at 3-4, it's hard to see a playoff spot in D.C.'s future. But it's not just a lack of offensive consistency; the Commanders gave up a team-high 44 points last week, showing that the defense still has a lot of room for growth.
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