A B- grade doesn't sell how impressive the resurgence of Sam Darnold as a starting caliber NFL quarterback has been. Despite an average rushing game (16th in success), his connection with Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, in particular, has made the Vikings lethal offensively. With the 1-seed on the line in Week 18, Darnold can effectively end any remaining doubts about his ability.
The Chiefs lost to the Broncos 38-0. But they rested all of their starters and weren't playing for anything. They get a bye in the first round.
Jordan Love is trigger-happy but so far, the net results have been a positive more often than not for Matt LeFleur. As a result, the Packers have a B grade so far this season offensively. Alongside a Pro Bowler in Josh Jacobs, who has helped make Green Bay the ninth-best red-zone offense. The passing game needs to perform at an elite level to hang with the NFC's top dogs, but Love has shown that he has the ability to maintain it.
Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. That trio alone sounds like enough to bolster a B grade and a top-10 offense. But the emergence of Chase Brown has given their offense a dynamic edge even after Joe Mixon's departure. The passing game ranks second in the league, with Burrow clearing 40 TDs for the first time in his career.
Both the pass and rush defense ranking in the top-10 has given the Cardinals a B grade on the offensive end. Thanks to an atrocious defense, they will not make the playoffs, but the offense, especially with another year of Marvin Harrison Jr. should have them contending for the playoffs next season.
It is hard to quantify how pivotal Jayden Daniels has been for the Washington Commanders. Fourth in points per drive, their turnover-free offense gives them a chance every time out. That, combined with a rushing game that might be second only to Lamar Jackson has made Daniels the proverbial engine for this offense. His latest masterpiece came in an Overtime victory, leading a TD drive over the Falcons to clinch a playoff spot and a B grade for the offense on the year.
In a game that really didn't matter, the Bills lost to the Patriots. The loss changed nothing for their seeding and they will now play Denver in the Wild Card Round.
Baker Mayfield earning early season MVP buzz wasn't a coincidence as the man was dealing to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in particular. Even with injuries, the team has continued to be a top-5 passing offense, while Bucky Irving has been a revelation on the ground. Injuries may have led to a few losses but Tampa Bay is as dangerous as they come.
The key to the Ravens' dominance offensively is their versatility. 43 total TDs versus 4 Interceptions has Lamar Jackson right in the thick of the MVP race, but Derrick Henry has been equally important for a team that is the second-best rushing team in the league. Last week was their 10th time finishing with a top-five game on the week, giving them an A grade on the year.
You might question his unusual aggressiveness, but the barrage of trick plays, and an elite rush and pass offense has made the Detroit Lions nearly unstoppable. They score the most points in the league, have an A grade on the year, and own the best passing and third-best rushing offense in the league. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Amon-Ra St. Brown have made this an explosive and unstoppable unit all throughout the year.
