We have just one game remaining in week 17 of the NFL season. It should be a good one between the Lions and the 49ers. With 15 games in the books, though, here is a grade and breakdown for the 14 NFC teams who have played so far!
Seattle: Grade D-
This was a miserable game to watch. Seattle had a late interception to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Seattle defense was the star, as they had 7 sacks to go along with a ton of pressure on Caleb Williams. It was so bad for Seattle on offense that Noah Fant led the team in receiving with 43 yards.
Chicago: Grade F
The Bears could only score a field goal at home in a game that was unwatchable. Caleb Williams threw for 122 yards but once again did not have a touchdown pass. He was sacked 7 times as the offensive line gave him very little time to throw. The Bears best player was D’Andre Swift, who had 53 yards rushing to go along with 28 yards receiving.
Arizona: Grade C-
After playing so poorly in the first half the Cardinals came back and had a chance to win until an interception in the end zone sealed the game for the Rams. Kyler Murray threw for 321 yards and one touchdown, but he also had two interceptions, including the one at the end of the game. Trey McBride finally found the end zone and, had 12 receptions for 123 yards, and was the star of the game. James Conner tried to play with his injured knee, but he only had four carries for four yards.
Los Angeles Rams: Grade B-
The Rams did not do very much offensively as Matthew Stafford threw for 189 yards and no touchdowns. Puka Nacua was the star with 10 receptions for 129 yards and Kyren Williams rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown. The Rams defense was the true star, as they had four sacks and two interceptions to help seal the victory.
Carolina: Grade D-
Carolina just couldn’t do enough offensively as Bryce Young threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdown passes went to Adam Thielen who was tremendous with 110 yards receiving. The biggest problem that Carolina has is they just don’t tackle very well on defense. Tampa was able to make some huge gains because the Panthers just arm-tackled and didn’t take the runner down at first contact.
Tampa Bay: Grade A+
This was the best game that Tampa Bay has played all season. Baker Mayfield had 359 yards passing and five touchdowns, and Bucky Irving had 113 yards rushing and 77 yards receiving. Mike Evans inches closer to another 1000-yard season with 97 yards receiving and two touchdowns. If Tampa continues to play like this, they might be able to make a run in the playoffs.
New Orleans: Grade F
This season needs to end quickly for the Saints, who offer nothing up offensively. Juwan Johnson had 66 yards receiving, and even worse was that the Saints defense was only able to muster up one sack against a Raiders offensive line that’s been a sieve all season long.
Dallas: Grade D-
This game started out poorly for Dallas as they had an immediate pick 6 and were playing from behind. Cooper Rush was only able to throw for 147 yards and had two interceptions. Rico Dowdle led the team with 104 yards rushing to continue his strong play.
Philadelphia: Grade A
The Eagles played really well defensively, with two interceptions of Cooper Rush. Saquon Barkley moved closer to the rushing title as he ran 31 times for 167 yards, breaking 2000 yards for the season. He needs a little over 100 yards next week to break Eric Dickerson’s season rushing record. The best player on the field for Philadelphia was DeVonta Smith, who had 6 receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. When they get Smith involved in their offense, they’re a much better team.
New York Giants: Grade A
Many Giants fans are going to be upset that the team won, considering now they’ve fallen from the first overall draft pick to the third pick, but you can’t blame the team for trying to win. This was the best offensive day that they’ve had all season. QB Drew Lock threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another touchdown as well. Sensational rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers had 7 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns to lead the team.
Green Bay: Grade C-
This game was a case of too much, too little, and too late for the Packers, who scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to lose to the Vikings by two. Jordan Love was only able to throw for 185 yards and one touchdown and missed his receivers for most of the game. Josh Jacobs led the Packers with 69 yards rushing and a touchdown. Green Bay’s inability to throw the ball downfield is their Achilles heel and will likely prevent them from going deep in the playoffs.
Minnesota: Grade A
The Vikings had a huge lead going into the fourth quarter but barely held on to win after letting up two late touchdowns. Sam Darnold was outstanding, throwing for 377 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Jefferson had 92 yards receiving, and Jordan Addison had 69 yards receiving and a touchdown. The Vikings will have a chance to claim the top seed in the NFC next week if they can beat Detroit.
Atlanta: Grade B-
Michael Penix Jr. showed a ton of moxie, leading the Falcons down the field to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, throwing his first-ever TD pass to Kyle Pitts. Penix still shows growing pains, but he has an arm that can get him out of trouble and shows just enough mobility in the pocket to keep plays alive. Bijan Robinson had 90 yards and two rushing TDs. Drake London had 106 receiving yards.
Washington: Grade A
Watching Jayden Daniels is seeing something truly special. Daniels stopped playing like a rookie months ago and is now fully engaged in trying to lead the upstart Commanders to the Super Bowl. Daniels threw for 227 yards and 3 TDs. He also ran for 127 yards and was dominant in OT. By the way, If you don’t think the revenge narrative is a real thing, you would be sadly mistaken. Players always seem to get up to play against their old teammates. WR Olamide Zaccheaus had 8 catches for 85 yards and a TD to lead Washington.
