NBC Sports midseason NFL report card

[Auggie]

Teams of interest to forum posters (if I left yours out, sorry -- entire league is at the link)

Dallas Cowboys: B

What they’ve done well: The running game is solid with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, but the passing game hit another gear when Tony Romo found a new favorite receiver in Miles Austin. As result, Dallas is now second in the league with 411.1 yards per game. When it comes to scoring, the Cowboys are 6th in the league with 28.1 ppg and they appear to be getting better. Perhaps more impressive is that Romo is not turning the ball over. He has only thrown four interceptions.

New Orleans Saints: A

What they’ve done well: The Saints are on their way. Drew Brees directs an explosive offense, which is now backed by a hard-hitting defense. New Orleans ranks 1st in yards per game (427.3) and are 3rd in average yards per play (6.3 yards). The Saints simply can outscore every opponent. Their 39.0 points per game is nine points per game better than the 2nd-ranked Vikings. On the defensive side, the Saints rank 11th in yards allowed per game and have forced the issue with 13 interceptions.

Miami Dolphins: C-

What they’ve done well: The unconventional. Other teams try the Wildcat offense, but it’s the Dolphins who do it best with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. They are also a resourceful crew who can get badly outplayed badly -- like in Week 8 against the Jets -- but can still win thanks to special teams play. Also key? They also are converting 50.5 percent of their third-down attempts, second in the league

New England Patriots: B

What they’ve done well: Instead of dropping to mediocrity after losing to the Jets and Broncos, the Pats laid a 59-0 whipping on the Titans and followed that with a 35-7 win over Tampa Bay. Even if Tom Brady isn't fully healthy, this team remains explosive. Shutting down Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker remains a near-impossible task. The Pats are No. 1 in the league in time of possession (34:22) and No. 3 in yards per game (406.0).

Arizona Cardinals: C

What they’ve done well: e Cardinals have a couple of big-play receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin and a gutsy/aging quarterback in Kurt Warner. But one thing coach Ken Whisenhunt also has is an effective defense, which has continued to grow since Arizona's surprising run to the Super Bowl last season. Beating the Giants on the road in Week 7 was confirmation of that. The Cardinals are playing well against the run, giving up an average of 96.4 yards per game, 9th in the league.

Denver Broncos: A-

What they’ve done well: After a tumultuous offseason, it’s obvious coach Josh McDaniels had a better understanding of his team than anyone else. Kyle Orton is a capable game manager and directs the offense without many mistakes, but defense has been the difference. Linebacker Elvis Dumervil has 10.0 sacks and Broncos are No. 2 in scoring defense (13.7 ppg) and .No. 1 team in yards allowed (266.7). More than the numbers is the aggressive way the Broncos storm to the football and tackle well. Few teams in the league match Denver’s fervor when it comes to gang tackling.

San Francisco 49ers: C-

What they’ve done well: The 49ers are a work in progress, but the defense is playing hard and physical football on a consistent basis. The defense is not at the top of the heap yet, but it makes its mark against the opponent’s running game. The 49ers are averaging 84.9 rushing yards allowed per game, good for 2nd in the league.

MORE: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/33598051/ns/sports-nfl/?pg=30#spt_nfl_midseason_reportcard09

and

Cleveland Browns: F
Detroit Lions: D
New York Giants: C+
Minnesota Vikings: A

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I'd give the 49ers a C+. They were in the Indianapolis and Minnesota games until the end.

[madinmaryland]

1. The Redskins were given a generous D-?

:wtf:

[Auggie]

2. Wouldn't that make them better than the Clowns?

I think they are