Realistic Grades for Every NFL Team's 2024 Season

The 2024 NFL season isn't over yet. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. In the meantime, though, we can hand out grades for the campaign.

Our evaluations are based on win-loss records, statistical rankings, progression, and regression trends.

These assessments mostly reflect the regular season, though we took playoff performances into account.

As a rule of thumb for these grades, teams that missed the playoffs earned no higher than a C-plus. Postseason clubs will receive a grade no lower than a B-minus.

A few teams earned As for exceeding or fulfilling expectations based on roster makeup and offseason projections. A couple of clubs failed because of poor performance, minimal development or a poor win-loss record that didn't match the talent on the roster.

Let's go through all 32 report cards with analysis for each grade.

The Arizona Cardinals missed the playoffs with a sub-.500 record, but they're headed in the right direction. The Cardinals must add a couple of veteran defensive playmakers, and they need a little more out of starting quarterback Kyler Murray.

The Cardinals doubled their wins from the previous season. They made significant strides on both sides of the ball, improving from 24th to 12th in offensive scoring and 31st to 15th in defensive scoring. Trey McBride earned his first Pro Bowl nod as a rising star tight end.

Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has to figure out how to strengthen the connection between Murray and wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. The rookie receiver finished with an inefficient 53.4 percent catch rate.

After a couple of injury-riddled campaigns, Murray played through a full season, throwing for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He's still an effective ball-carrier, rushing for 572 yards and five touchdowns, but the team needs him to pull through for more game-winning plays in critical moments.

2024 record: 8-9

Grade: C+

The Atlanta Falcons opened the season with a lot of hope that turned into disappointment partially because of a slow decision to bench their high-paid quarterback and the inability to address their defensive holes in the offseason.

The Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal last March. Coming off a torn Achilles, he had a rocky start to the campaign and turned the ball over at an alarming rate late in the term.

Cousins tied Baker Mayfield for a league-high 16 interceptions, but he threw for about 1,000 fewer yards and 23 fewer touchdowns than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback. Between Weeks 10 and 13, Cousins threw eight interceptions and zero touchdowns. The Falcons didn't bench him until Week 16.

In retrospect, the Falcons made the right move by taking Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 draft. However, they stuck with Cousins a little too long, and their 23rd-ranked defense wasn't stout enough to help an offense that sputtered for extended stretches.

2024 record: 8-9

Grade: C

The Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North, have the league's second-leading rusher in Derrick Henry, and quarterback Lamar Jackson could win his third MVP award, but they could have accomplished more this season.

Last year, the Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game but fell short in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. They signed Henry in free agency. Jackson posted career highs in passing yards (4,172) and touchdown passes (41). He tied Josh Allen for a league-best 77.3 QBR and led all quarterbacks in passer rating (119.6).

Fourth-year veteran wideout Rashod Bateman caught 45 passes for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in his most productive season. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely have become an effective pass-catching tight end duo. The defensive unit had lapses in coverage but hit its stride down the stretch under first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr.

Yet the Ravens faltered in head-scratching losses to the Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) and Cleveland Browns (3-14). They needed a December surge coupled with the Pittsburgh Steelers' late-season collapse to win the AFC North title and mostly trailed the Buffalo Bills in a divisional-round loss.

The Ravens are an elite team that showed all the signs of a Super Bowl contender and still left you wanting to see more out of them.

2024 record: 12-5

Grade: B+

Though the Buffalo Bills may feel their season is a failure after a fourth playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in five years, they still had an impressive campaign.

Without a No. 1 wide receiver, quarterback Josh Allen still performed at an MVP level, tying Lamar Jackson for a league-leading 77.3 QBR. James Cook tied Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry for most rushing touchdowns (16). Buffalo extended its AFC East title streak to five seasons, five wins ahead of second place in the division.

Head coach Sean McDermott, who has defensive expertise, must tighten up that side of the ball, though.

For the first time since 2020, the Bills finished outside the top 10 in scoring and total yards allowed. Moreover, they finished 24th in passing yards allowed.

Allen showed that he doesn't need a star-studded supporting cast to perform at a Pro Bowl level, though the Bills may have to add a go-to receiver or revamp their defense to overcome the Chiefs playoff hurdle and advance to the Super Bowl.

2024 record: 13-4

Grade: A-

The Carolina Panthers had a clunky start to the 2024 season, and their roster lacked talent on both sides of the ball. Still, you can see hope in their future.

First-time head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young in Week 3, which sent a mixed message about the team's commitment to the second-year signal-caller's development.

However, Young regained his starting job because Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident, and he made strides with his second-chance opportunity to lead the offense.

Young must continue to show improvement to fulfill the expectations of a No. 1 overall pick, but he trended in the right direction at the end of the term, throwing for seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three games.

The Panthers must add an influx of talent on all three levels of their defense, which gave up the most points and yards per game. Oft-injured cornerback Jaycee Horn and 31-year-old Jadeveon Clowney may be their best defenders.

2024 record: 5-12

Grade: D+

Considering the Chicago Bears' supporting cast around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the continuity in other areas of the roster, this team was one of the biggest underachievers in 2024.

Williams had a quality wide receiver trio that featured D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie first-rounder Rome Odunze. Yet he finished with fewer passing yards (3,558) and passing touchdowns (20) than Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, who had lesser supporting casts. Williams only averaged about 33 more passing yards per game than fellow rookie signal-caller Drake Maye, who had one of the league's worst pass-catching units.

That said, Bears' brass must do a better job of protecting Williams, who took a league-high 68 sacks.

After a Thanksgiving clock management debacle, the Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus. Their defense collapsed in the following three games, allowing an average of 34 points.

New lead skipper Ben Johnson must rebuild the Bears' offensive line. Perhaps defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can re-energize a unit that struggled down the stretch, finishing 27th in yards allowed.

2024 record: 5-12

Grade: D

The Cincinnati Bengals won the same number of games with a fully healthy Joe Burrow as last season when he missed seven outings. By the way, he led the league in passing yards per game (289.3) and passing touchdowns (43).

For most of the season, Cincinnati only had one way to win games: a high-scoring shootout. The Bengals went 4-4 in contests in which they scored 30 or more points.

Cincinnati has already addressed its defensive issue by firing coordinator Lou Anarumo, whose units have ranked 16th or worse in scoring and total yards for five of the last six terms.

The Bengals had one of the most prolific offenses matched with a horrific defense, which resulted in a mediocre record and disappointing campaign for a supposed playoff contender. Anarumo's unit wasted Burrow's best statistical season.

2024 record: 9-8

Grade: C

The Cleveland Browns seemed doomed from the beginning of the season, with Deshaun Watson under center, running back Nick Chubb still recovering from a torn ACL, and multiple offensive tackles recovering from significant injuries.

Watson mostly struggled through seven weeks before tearing his Achilles. Chubb missed the first six games and averaged a career-low 3.3 rushing yards per carry. The Browns had a revolving door at both offensive tackle positions because of injuries.

In Watson's place, Jameis Winston's aggressive tendencies and strong arm provided some offensive excitement, but he continued to turn the ball over at a high rate and lost the starting job.

Cleveland scored the fewest points and racked up the fifth-fewest yards, which put a lot of pressure on the defense to keep the score margins close, but coordinator Jim Schwartz's unit couldn't replicate its stout performances from the previous campaign.

Looking back at the Browns' 2024 season, you would be hard-pressed to find anything that went particularly well. They went from a 2023 playoff team to nearly unwatchable.

2024 record: 3-14

Grade: F

The Dallas Cowboys mishandled the running back position, which hurt them after quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury. Also, the Cowboys defense regressed under coordinator Mike Zimmer, who replaced Dan Quinn.

Last offseason, the Cowboys let running back Tony Pollard walk in free agency and brought back a worn-down Ezekiel Elliott, who had 2,065 carries on his pro resume before the start of the term. Expectedly, Elliott didn't have enough juice to boost the ground game, averaging a career-low 3.1 yards per carry.

The Cowboys compounded their run game issues by diluting Rico Dowdle's workload for most of the term, though he was clearly more productive and efficient than Elliott.

Of course, Prescott's injury limited the offense, but the Cowboys didn't have a viable run game to aid backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Meanwhile, the defense lost multiple starters and struggled to stop the run throughout the term.

Dallas' pick for a defensive coordinator and poor roster management at running back only made things worse for a team that had a rash of injuries across the roster.

2024 record: 7-10

Grade: C-

The Denver Broncos are well ahead of schedule in climbing the NFL hierarchy. Last offseason, the Broncos had cap-space limitations because of dead money owed to quarterback Russell Wilson (and they still do), but the front office managed to put together a competitive roster around rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Denver didn't have a running back who rushed for more than 513 yards. Only one of its pass-catchers, Courtland Sutton, racked up more than 503 receiving yards.

Yet Nix threw for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 66.3 percent completion rate. He finished sixth leaguewide in touchdown passes and added 430 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Nix's production is a promising sign for the Broncos' future. He's also paired with a defense that ranked seventh in total yards and allowed the third-fewest points.

Even though the Buffalo Bills crushed the Broncos 31-7 in the Wild-Card Round, Denver exceeded expectations, getting to 10 wins and a playoff berth. DraftKings set the Broncos' over-under total at 5.5 wins.

2024 record: 10-7

Grade: B+

Over the last three years, the Detroit Lions have gone from the hunter to the hunted in the NFL jungle. Following a run to the NFC Championship Game, the fanbase's expectations skyrocketed. Detroit played up to the buzz in the regular season but finished with a disappointing one-and-done playoff appearance.

The Lions clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed, fielding the No. 1 scoring offense and an injury-riddled defense that lost several starters and still ranked seventh in points allowed.

Detroit looked primed for another deep postseason run, but its depleted defense couldn't stop sensational rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders offense in the Divisional Round. Meanwhile, the Lions offense had its second five-turnover game of the campaign.

The Lions' regular season was a successful one, but you cannot ignore how their season ended without a playoff win.

2024 record: 15-2

Grade: A-

In 2024, the Green Bay Packers fell a notch below the league's elite teams because of quarterback Jordan Love's inconsistencies. On a positive note, play-caller Jeff Hafley has elevated a defensive unit that underperformed during former coordinator Joe Barry's three-year tenure.

Love threw an interception in his first eight games of the season. After a Week 10 bye, the Packers preferred to take the ball out of his hands and stuff it into running back Josh Jacobs' gut.

Before Green Bay's Week 10 intermission, Love averaged 34.3 pass attempts per game but only 24.7 attempts in full games between Weeks 11 and 17.

Green Bay may have found an offensive identity with Jacobs leading the charge, but it signed Love to a four-year, $220 million extension last offseason. The Packers should be able to rely on their high-paid quarterback to elevate them instead of having to work around his inefficiencies.

2024 record: 11-6

Grade: B

The Houston Texans didn't build on an encouraging 2023 season. Yes, they won back-to-back AFC South titles, but quarterback C.J. Stroud didn't look like the same player who won 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Houston has standout defensive playmakers, though the unit finished 14th in scoring for the term.

Stroud struggled to get on the same page as his pass-catching group. Tank Dell saw his receiving numbers dip across multiple categories before suffering season-ending knee injuries in Week 16.

In fairness, Stroud lost wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL midseason. The Texans signal-caller took the second-most sacks (52), which factored into his uninspiring passing numbers (3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 63.2 percent completion rate).

No one should be surprised that Houston fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, even though his name came up in the head coaching hiring cycle last offseason. The Texans need change on that side of the ball, as well as help along the offensive line and in the pass-catching group.

Houston may hire a proven offensive coordinator who can further develop Stroud's skill set. If not, this team may need its defense to close games in 2025.

2024 record: 10-7

Grade: B-

The Indianapolis Colts didn't have a well-thought-out offensive plan this past season, and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's scheme went stale, resulting in some embarrassing losses down the stretch.

The Colts must decide if they will be patient with Anthony Richardson or pivot to a veteran. The coaching staff benched him for Joe Flacco in Week 9 and reinserted the second-year signal-caller into the starting lineup two weeks later.

Like the 2023 term, Richardson struggled to stay healthy, and the Colts' boom-or-bust passing attack had more woes than wow moments because of his 47.7 percent completion rate.

Three Colts pass-catchers eclipsed 800 receiving yards this past season. Running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns. Head coach and offensive play-caller Shane Steichen has to figure out the quarterback position, or this team will be stuck in mediocrity.

2024 record: 8-9

Grade: C-

The Jacksonville Jaguars should have probably fired head coach Doug Pederson after safety Andre Cisco told reporters that he sensed quit among his teammates following the team's Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears in London. Jacksonville won the following game against the New England Patriots but then lost five straight.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence regressed further in an injury-riddled campaign. Running back Travis Etienne temporarily lost a handle on the starting job to Tank Bigsby. The Jaguars defense ranked 27th in scoring and gave up the second-most yards.

Wideout Brian Thomas Jr. was the brightest spot on this team. He led all rookies in receiving yards (1,282) and touchdown receptions (10). If not for his emergence, the Jaguars would've deserved a failing grade.

Regardless of what you think about Liam Coen's decision to leave his offensive coordinator role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Jacksonville's head coaching job, he has a low bar to clear as his coaching staff takes over after Pederson's disastrous campaign.

2024 record: 4-13

Grade: D-

The Kansas City Chiefs had to deal with the pressure of being the reigning back-to-back champions and chasing NFL history. They handled it with composure and consistency, which helped them to clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed, tying the Detroit Lions for the best overall record.

Tight end Travis Kelce didn't shy away from thoughts about Kansas City trying to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. Yet the Chiefs focused on what was in front of them every week. Now, they have a chance at a three-peat in Super Bowl LIX.

For most of the year, the Chiefs fielded a stout defense. In the last quarter of the term, their offense shifted into a different gear just in time for a deep playoff run.

Although the Chiefs haven't wowed anyone statistically this season, they have shown their championship mettle in close games and have found ways to win.

2024 record: 15-2

Grade: A

The Las Vegas Raiders made Antonio Pierce their full-time head coach after he helped turn around their 2023 campaign in an interim role, taking over for Josh McDaniels. Pierce made several mistakes, and the front office failed to adequately address the quarterback position, which became a glaring issue from the beginning of the campaign.

Pierce may have benefited from the substitute teacher effect during the 2023 season, but it wore off in 2024. He called out players for "making business decisions." By October, wideout Davante Adams wanted to play elsewhere. According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, players complained about inefficient practice routines and a lack of accountability and discipline.

Midway through the term, Pierce fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, offensive line coach James Cregg and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello to save his job, according to CBS Sports' Jay Feely.

The Raiders fired Pierce anyway. Although they had won two of their last three games, the 10-game losing streak was too much for him to overcome in the long run.

The club's former general manager, Tom Telesco, brought in a quality rookie class, though. Tight end Brock Bowers had a record-setting year, and offensive linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze can potentially become long-term starters.

The Raiders' 2024 draft class bumps their grade from an F to a D.

2024 record: 4-13

Grade: D

If you have followed head coach Jim Harbaugh's track record, you probably expected him to turn the Los Angeles Chargers around immediately. The Chargers are serial underachievers, and Harbaugh may finally squeeze every ounce of talent out of their roster.

Under former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, Los Angeles went 24-24, going 9-8, 10-7 and 5-12 during his three-year tenure. In his first term with the Chargers, Harbaugh led the team to its best record since 2018.

Harbaugh and his coaching staff established the team's hard-nosed identity within one season.

Los Angeles allowed the fewest points and showed some balance between a power run game and a passing attack that can stretch defenses with rookie Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston for big plays downfield. Coming off a torn Achilles, running back J.K. Dobbins saw a resurgence, rushing for a career-high 905 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Chargers' quick rebuild may have been more predictable than the Denver Broncos' turnaround when Harbaugh joined forces with Herbert, but it's still an impressive change in direction for the franchise.

Going forward, the Harbaugh-Herbert union must take things to another level in the playoffs after a one-and-done exit.

2024 record: 11-6

Grade: B

Despite key injuries at wide receiver, the Los Angeles Rams matched their season record from the 2023 campaign and dominated a 14-win Minnesota Vikings team before bowing out of the playoffs. This is a testament to lead skipper Sean McVay and his staff coaching up their reserves and a young defense.

Between Weeks 3 and 7, wideouts Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp sat out because of injuries. As a result, the Rams' offense struggled, but they still went 2-2 in that stretch, allowing 21.8 points.

After a Week 6 bye, Los Angeles went on a run, going 9-3. Nacua and Cooper returned, and the defense became more formidable, holding opponents to nine points or fewer between Weeks 15 and 17.

Late in the campaign, Matthew Stafford saw a notable drop-off in his passing numbers. In four of his last five outings, he threw for fewer than 210 yards and completed less than 60 percent of his passes in three of those outings.

Stafford gets a pass for the rainy Week 15 contest against the San Francisco 49ers, but the Rams should start thinking about his successor. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 36-year-old plans to continue playing but wants a new contract.

2024 record: 10-7

Grade: B

The Miami Dolphins played catch-up in the standings for most of the season. They aren't responsible for Tua Tagovailoa's injury, but the club should've been better prepared for games without him, considering his history of concussions.

In Week 2, Tagovailoa suffered his third documented concussion and missed the following four games. Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley filled in for him, and the Dolphins' aerial attack immediately went flat.

In fairness, wideout Tyreek Hill played through the season with a torn ligament in his wrist. Knowing this, the Dolphins were still ill-equipped to rely on their ground game, which featured De'Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and rookie fourth-rounder Jaylen Wright.

Even with Tagovailoa healthy between Weeks 8 and 16, Miami lost to playoff-caliber opponents, losing games to the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and Houston Texans during its push for a playoff spot.

Until the Dolphins consistently beat winning teams and raise their overall level of performance in colder temperatures, they'll carry the contender fraud title. Miami didn't accomplish anything that proved otherwise this past season.

2024 record: 8-9

Grade: C

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season.

The Vikings exceeded expectations in various ways. DraftKings listed the club's over-under win total at 6.5. Minnesota signed quarterback Sam Darnold, who bounced around the league, playing for three teams between 2020 and 2023. He had his best statistical season, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 66.2 percent completion rate. Aaron Jones rushed for a career-high 1,138 yards in his age-30 campaign.

Minnesota finished with its second-highest win total in franchise history. Darnold, a talented group of offensive playmakers and a top-12 defense in points and yards allowed were the most significant factors in an impressive year.

The Vikings' one-and-done postseason exit leaves a sour taste in their mouths, but Darnold didn't have any starting playoff experience going into the team's wild-card matchup.

Minnesota has options at quarterback. It can continue to build with Darnold and Co. or give rookie signal-caller J.J. McCarthy a chance to flourish as the centerpiece of a potentially high-powered offense with help from a stingy defense.

2024 record: 14-3

Grade: A-

The New England Patriots are rebuilding a squad that must add playmakers around rookie quarterback Drake Maye. As many expected, they finished with one of the league's worst records, and Maye didn't have much around him in a year of ups and plenty of downs.

Still, Maye showed his dynamic playmaking ability, using his arm and legs to move the ball. In 13 games (12 starts), he threw for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 66.6 percent completion rate and rushed for 421 yards and two touchdowns.

Remember that 30-year-old tight end Hunter Henry and slot wide receiver DeMario Douglas were the Patriots' top pass-catchers in receptions and receiving yards this past season.

Also, under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, whom the Patriots fired shortly after their season finale, the defense regressed from the 2023 campaign, ranking 22nd in points and yards allowed.

Perhaps new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and his staff will surround Maye with a stronger supporting cast to help him take a second-year leap.

2024 record: 4-13

Grade: D-

For two weeks, the New Orleans Saints looked like a team that could make the playoffs, but after September, they fell apart because of injuries and a declining defense.

Quarterback Derek Carr (seven games), running back Alvin Kamara (three games), wide receiver Chris Olave (nine games) and wideout Rashid Shaheed (11 games) missed significant time because of injuries. So, no one should be surprised this team finished outside the top 20 in scoring and total yards.

However, the Saints' defense took a step back under former head coach and play-caller Dennis Allen, so the team needed to fire him midseason. In 2024, New Orleans gave up the third-most total yards, the second-most rushing yards and the second-most yards per carry.

Interim head coach and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi restored the Saints' competitive fire in the middle of the season, but the club had no chance to bounce back with rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler leading the offense down the stretch without his top playmakers.

2024 record: 5-12

Grade: D

In November, the New York Giants released quarterback Daniel Jones. The Giants don't deserve credit for making a decision that most people saw coming, especially in a year when they went 3-14 with the fourth-worst point differential.

Big Blue cycled through three starting quarterbacks: Jones, Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock. The club recorded the fewest passing touchdowns and racked up the fifth-fewest yards.

The Giants' issues go beyond Jones and one of the worst quarterback rooms.

New York had the worst red-zone scoring percentage (touchdowns). Kickers Graham Gano and Greg Joseph ranked near the bottom of the league in field-goal percentage.

Despite all the negatives, the Giants should feel encouraged by their rookie class.

Malik Nabers finished second among first-year players in catches (109) and receiving yards (1,282). Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. racked up 1,123 scrimmage yards and scored six touchdowns. Safety Tyler Nubin earned valuable playing experience in 13 starts. Tight end Theo Johnson showed glimpses of his pass-catching ability, hauling in 29 passes for 331 yards and a touchdown.

Big Blue's rookie class saves it from a failing grade.

2024 record: 3-14

Grade: D

The New York Jets are the most disappointing team of the 2024 season.

The Jets went into the campaign with several high-level players: Aaron Rodgers, Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. They added Rodgers' former Green Bay Packers teammate, Davante Adams, via trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Second-year edge-rusher Will McDonald IV broke out with 10.5 sacks.

Yet, instead of contending for a playoff spot, Gang Green finished with one of the league's worst records. The club finished 20th or worse in offensive and defensive scoring. The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas midseason.

New York's high-quality roster talent didn't amount to much in the standings, though this team went all-in on Rodgers for postseason contention. Gang Green's Rodgers experiment looks like an abject failure.

2024 record: 5-12

Grade: F

The Philadelphia Eagles went through midseason drama that raised concerns about head coach Nick Sirianni's "embarrassing" behavior. Still, they stuck together to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LIX. Additionally, Saquon Barkley brought respect back to the running back position.

Two years ago, NFL teams weren't paying a high premium for running backs. In 2024, Barkley showed the value of the position.

In Barkley's first term with the Eagles, he won his first rushing title and led the league in scrimmage yards. He rushed for 442 yards and five touchdowns in three playoff contests, recording a three-score performance in the NFC Championship Game.

As Barkley ran through, around, and over defenders in his best season, Philadelphia's defense stifled opponents and created more opportunities for the offense. It allowed the second-fewest points and fewest total yards while forcing the sixth-most turnovers.

Arguably the NFL's most balanced and dynamic team on both sides of the ball, it seems fitting that the Eagles' 2024 campaign will finish up in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX.

2024 record: 14-3

Grade: A

For three-quarters of the 2024 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers made you believe that they could make a deep playoff run and finally end their streak of exits in the Wild-Card Round.

Whether it was Justin Fields or Russell Wilson under center, the Steelers found ways to win from September through early December. Then, it all changed in the final quarter of the campaign.

The Steelers lost their last five games. From Week 15 through the Wild-Card Round, Pittsburgh's offense scored no more than 17 points, and its defense allowed an average of 27.4 points per game.

Even though the Steelers made the playoffs, their colossal late-season collapse ruined what was a quality year. They peaked early and didn't have a second gear when it mattered most.

2024 record: 10-7

Grade: B-

The San Francisco 49ers looked like a team that stumbled into the year on a hangover from a Super Bowl loss. Though it's worth noting, they dealt with key injuries on both sides of the ball. After three double-digit win seasons, the 49ers finished fourth in the NFC West.

Quarterback Brock Purdy had a solid year despite an injury-riddled supporting cast. Overall, though, San Francisco's offense was inefficient.

The 49ers went into the season without star running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed 13 games because of Achilles and PCL injuries. Even with him on the field, San Francisco went 1-3.

Wideout Brandon Aiyuk missed 10 games because of a torn ACL and MCL, but he had a slow start to the campaign, averaging 3.6 catches and 53.4 receiving yards per game. The team went 1-6 without left tackle Trent Williams.

San Francisco's defense regressed under first-time play-caller Nick Sorensen. Edge-rusher Nick Bosa and cornerback Charvarius Ward missed multiple games, but the 49ers felt they needed to make a change on that side of the ball. The team fired Sorensen and brought back Robert Saleh to fill the same position.

2024 record: 6-11

Grade: D

Looking at the Seattle Seahawks' 2024 season outlook, they should've made the playoffs. The Seahawks started the term with a 3-0 record, went 4-2 in the NFC West and won six of their last eight games.

Taking a deeper look, Seattle fell short against playoff-caliber opponents, aside from the Denver Broncos, who started rookie quarterback Bo Nix against them in Week 1, and the Los Angeles Rams' backups in the last week of the term.

The Seahawks likely feel a lingering sting from a head-scratching 29-20 Week 5 home loss to the New York Giants. They also thought the offense underperformed, which led to the dismissal of first-time offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

The Seahawks should be encouraged by the direction that head coach Mike Macdonald has set, but new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak must optimize the playmakers in a loaded offense that features DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.

2024 record: 10-7

Grade: C+

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were fun to watch but wildly inconsistent and benefitted from playing in a lousy division.

On one hand, the Buccaneers finished fourth in scoring and third in total yards with the league's sixth-best point differential (117). Quarterback Baker Mayfield had his most productive season, logging career highs in passing yards (4,500) and touchdown passes (41).

On the other hand, Tampa Bay tied for 10th in turnovers. Mayfield tied Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins for a league-high 16 interceptions. The team's 29th-ranked pass defense struggled mightily, contributing to its losses. The Buccaneers lost seven of nine games, including their playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, when they allowed 260-plus passing yards.

In the offseason, Tampa Bay will hire a new offensive coordinator to replace Liam Coen, who left to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Nonetheless, lead skipper Todd Bowles, who has a defensive background, must address his pass defense, which has allowed the fourth-most yards in consecutive seasons.

2024 record: 10-7

Grade: B-

Last offseason, the Tennessee Titans tried to fool everyone by acquiring notable veterans in a win-now approach. They faceplanted early in the 2024 campaign and never rebounded from a 1-6 start.

The Titans gave Will Levis a chance to show that he's a franchise quarterback, and the second-year signal-caller failed to solidify himself as the unquestioned starter. Tennessee benched him late in the season.

Levis routinely turned the ball over, throwing 12 interceptions and losing six fumbles. He also struggled to get the ball to wideout Calvin Ridley, one of the Titans' high-paid offseason acquisitions.

Tennessee's defense showed resistance for much of the season, allowing the second-fewest yards per game, but a turnover-prone 27th-ranked scoring offense put the team in a bind almost every week.

2024 record: 3-14

Grade: D-

Between 2023 and 2024, the Washington Commanders made the biggest leap leaguewide, going from a cellar-dwelling 4-13 team and a franchise in disarray to the NFC Championship Game with their best record since 1991.

Head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels have set the foundation for the franchise's bright future.

Like he did with the Atlanta Falcons, Quinn assembled a quality coaching staff that helped expedite Daniels' development. The rookie signal-caller threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions with an impressive 69 percent completion rate and ran for 891 yards and six touchdowns.

As Quinn and coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. coached up the defense, Daniels put together jaw-dropping performances that included multiple game-winning drives. With his calm, fearless demeanor, Daniels led the Commanders to two road playoff victories, knocking off the No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions in one of those contests.

Washington far exceeded expectations. The Commanders' one-year rebuild opened their Super Bowl window.

2024 record: 12-5

Grade: A

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.