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Post by CRASHER on Nov 10, 2005 10:36:57 GMT -5
AFC EAST
New England Patriots (4-4)
Grade: C+
Six of the Patriots' first eight games were against teams with a winning record at this point, so they've weathered a brutal schedule along with injuries and shuffled coordinators. But the defensive backups have been uncharacteristically poor this season, and a lot of it has to do with bad personnel decisions. Duane Starks and Chad Scott have been total busts, while Chad Brown has been a disappointment. If it weren't for the fourth-quarter magic of Tom Brady and Adam Vinatieri, the Patriots could be 1-7.
Second-half improvements: The secondary is a disaster, but that defense would be helped by a sustained running game. Corey Dillon has looked slow and is on pace for the lowest yards-per-carry average of his career.
Buffalo Bills (3-5)
Grade: C-
First and foremost, the J.P. Losman project was a first-half disaster, and Drew Bledsoe's new life in Dallas has only accentuated the mistake :-) . Now that their playoff hopes have fizzled, Mike Mularkey and the Bills will take another crack at developing their future quarterback in the season's second half. Still, running back Willis McGahee has maintained his dominance despite defenses that are stacking to stop him every week.
Second-half improvements: We knew the loss of linebacker Takeo Spikes would hurt, but the defense is too talented to have allowed a league-worst five yards-per-carry and 13 touchdowns at this point.
Miami Dolphins (3-5)
Grade: C
Two of the Dolphins' wins have come against quality teams (Denver and Carolina) and they've played tough in almost every game this season. But Gus Frerotte hasn't panned out, which means Miami still hasn't figured out the most important position on its team. The Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams tandem is finally picking up steam and could help raise the Dolphins' grade a bit in the last eight games.
Second-half improvements: Part of it is a function of a mediocre quarterback, but it's clear the wide receiving corps lacks a sure-fire No. 1 option. Chris Chambers and Marty Booker would rate as No. 2 wideouts on most quality teams.
New York Jets (2-6)
Grade: D+
Chad Pennington's injury has destroyed any offensive continuity, so it's been hard to gauge how Mike Heimerdinger's offense has taken root. But the running game isn't getting anywhere, and the defense hasn't managed to stay fresh while being on the field so much. Laveranues Coles is finally showing some production, but with Curtis Martin grinding along, there doesn't seem to be any playmakers left on the offense.
Second-half improvements: The run defense has fallen apart without defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and the injuries to Eric Barton. Still, this front seven should be playing better. Dewayne Robertson was supposed to be rounding into a Pro Bowl player by now.
AFC NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals (7-2)
Grade: B+
The Bengals have yet to beat a winning team, so there are still plenty of questions. The losses to Jacksonville and Pittsburgh are concerning, but they don't spell certain doom down the stretch. Really, there will be only three more teams that should give Cincinnati trouble. For now, we know for sure that Carson Palmer has developed into one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the NFL, and the quality of Cincinnati's offensive depth rivals anyone in the league.
Second-half improvements: The run defense has looked better the last two weeks, but the front seven has to prove it can get the job done on a consistent basis. And at some point, Cincinnati has to prove it can beat good teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Grade: B+
The Steelers have weathered a rash of injuries on offense, and Ben Roethlisberger has shown improvement and additional poise since last season. Before his injury, he was starting to look like a quarterback who could carry this team when necessary. Tight end Heath Miller has become a huge bonus with a wide receiving corps struggling through health problems.
Second-half improvements: The defense is still a top-10 unit, but the secondary still looks vulnerable in spurts. That could be bad news in the playoffs, where the Steelers are likely to meet some high-powered passing units.
Cleveland Browns (3-5)
Grade: C
Considering the relatively talent-thin roster and the new systems they're learning, the Browns exceeded expectations by not only winning three games but by also staying competitive in most of their losses. The team's overall grade isn't likely to improve, but Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel and Maurice Carthon have already made plenty of progress this year.
Second-half improvements: The vertical passing game has potential, so it should take some strides as the season comes to a close. Continuing the development of Braylon Edwards and getting a look at Charlie Frye are two vital goals.
Baltimore Ravens (2-6)
Grade: D+
The defense has been everything we thought it would be, and unfortunately for the Ravens, so has the quarterback position. What we couldn't have seen coming was Jamal Lewis' mediocre play and eventual admission that his lingering contract issues have hindered his performance. Still, the offensive problems orbit around the lack of development at quarterback, which is why Brian Billick is coaching to keep his job.
Second-half improvements: Kyle Boller has to show marked progress over the last eight games or the Ravens could be looking at coaching changes. Some of the contract issues with Jamal Lewis, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed need to be solved.
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts (8-0)
Grade: A
The Colts won games in every possible fashion – passing the ball, running the ball and playing aggressive defense. They are clearly the most balanced team in football with only a healthy Steelers team coming close to having all the complementary elements. While Peyton Manning hasn't lit the league on fire like last season, he may be doing an even better job of play-calling this year by staying patient and taking what defenses give.
Second-half improvements: The defense has given up 20 points in three straight games and is clearly still vulnerable. Corey Simon really needs to step his game up and become more of a factor in collapsing the pocket and demanding double-teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
Grade: B-
The Jaguars faced a tough slate of teams; six of their eight games were decided by a touchdown or less, as Jacksonville struggled to create significant separation in every game. The sixth-ranked defense has delivered solid efforts almost every week. The offense needs to find some kind of groove and force opponents to play one-dimensional, passing football.
Second-half improvements: The offense just never seems to find a perfect rhythm. Part of that may be solved by Ernest Wilford stepping into a starting spot and giving Byron Leftwich a consistent No. 2 option to Jimmy Smith. Fred Taylor's erratic health doesn't help.
Tennessee Titans (2-7)
Grade: D-
Steve McNair has been relatively healthy, but the offense has been pretty average under Norm Chow. Drew Bennett is as close as this offense comes to having a player with explosive, big-play ability – and that's not a good sign. Travis Henry's suspension scuttled early plans to develop a 1-2 punch in the backfield, but Tennessee will take another crack at it late this year, if only to see what Henry has to offer.
Second-half improvements: The Titans have given up at least 31 points in five games, and that defense isn't scaring anyone. Rookie Pacman Jones needs to start doing something other than giving up big plays.
Houston Texans (1-7)
Grade: F
The only good news is that Houston isn't still winless and there have been some faint signs of life the last few weeks. David Carr has to take some of the blame, but the offensive line has once again been awful, allowing a mind-boggling 43 sacks. The defense doesn't seem to have a lick of chemistry and may have to be gutted by the next coach.
Second-half improvements: Where do we begin? Getting Carr and Andre Johnson back on track is the top priority right now. Both of those players will eat a significant amount of cap space next season, so the Texans need to be sure they still have two cornerstones.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos (6-2)
Grade: A
Remarkably, only one of Denver's first-half opponents has a losing record at this point. And the Broncos have established arguably the NFL's best 1-2 running back punch with Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell. But the development of Jake Plummer has made all the difference. Not only is Plummer making good decisions (only three interceptions), but he's also on the way to nudging his completion percentage above 60 percent.
Second-half improvements: The pass defense is among the league's worst, but a lot of that has to do with a lack of defensive pressure. The Broncos are last in the NFL with only 10 sacks.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)
Grade: B-
Four of the Chiefs' five wins have come against teams with losing records, but they're only 1-3 against teams that are .500 or better. Priest Holmes' injury questions are a big concern, but the team wisely continued its development of Larry Johnson through the first eight games. Injury problems with Willie Roaf are still a long-term issue, along with keeping Tony Gonzalez involved in the passing game.
Second-half improvements: The 28th-ranked defense has more talent than ever but hasn't shown vast progress. Injuries to Patrick Surtain and Dexter McCleon won't help.
San Diego Chargers (5-4)
Grade: B-
The four losses by 12 points have been devastating, especially with the tough schedule. Worse yet, Marty Schottenheimer's conservative play-calling has cost the Chargers scoring opportunities at times. LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates have been lights-out. With Shawne Merriman adding some pass-rushing bite to the defense, the Chargers still have room to grow. If anyone could go on a surprising second-half run, it's this team.
Second-half improvements: The front seven needs to continue its latest strides in the pass rush, but the secondary still has to do its part. The cornerbacks haven't made enough big plays, recording only one interception.
Oakland Raiders (3-5)
Grade: C-
Until two of the last three games, the Raiders had yet to pay off on their offensive promise. While Kerry Collins is making better decisions, the offense still isn't consistent enough. The team definitely expected more than seven touchdowns in eight games between Randy Moss and Jerry Porter. On the bright side, LaMont Jordan is earning the fat contract he signed last offseason. Warren Sapp (five sacks) and Derrick Burgess (seven sacks) have energized the defense in spurts.
Second-half improvements: The secondary has recorded one interception this season, and the player who accomplished it (Charles Woodson) is out for the year with a broken leg.
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