All 32 NFL teams graded on their five-year potential

Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown during the first half against the against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone likes to believe that the best is always yet to come, no matter what they’re thinking about. Whether it’s their education, job, or relationship, but it’s especially true when it comes to their favorite sports team. NFL fanatics almost always see the best in their team — rightfully so. In the NFL, teams rise and fall incredibly fast. A contender one year could miss the playoffs the next. The NFL’s fleeting nature is what makes every week so exciting. Between 2015-2019 some eras are going to come to and end, while others have the potential to begin. No one likes to face the reality that their team’s window may be closing but it’s a reality of the game, of life. Because sometimes the best isn’t yet to come; just don’t tell NFL fans that.

With the nature of this reality in mind, all 32 NFL franchises have been broken down and given letter grades. The grades were based on each team’s potential over the next five years (2015-2019), excluding this season from consideration. Here is the rationale that was used for establishing the criteria for each letter grade:

A GRADES – Teams that are highly likely to be a contender for the next five seasons. Ones with great odds to make it to a Super Bowl before 2020.

B GRADES – Teams that are likely to be competitive for the next five seasons. Ones that could certainly make it to a Super Bowl before 2020.

C GRADES – Teams that are likely to be mediocre for the next five seasons. Ones that may make the playoffs, but won’t reach a Super Bowl before 2020.

D GRADES – Teams that are highly likely to be subpar for the next five seasons. Ones that probably won’t make the playoffs more than once before 2020.

Included with each team is an “Arrow Up”, “Arrow Down”, or “Arrow Level”.

‘Arrow Up’ projects that the team will grow in competitiveness throughout the course of the next five years. ‘Arrow Down’ projects that the team will become less competitive throughout the course of the next five years. ‘Arrow level’ projects that the team will maintain its current level of competitiveness for the duration of the next five years. The arrow’s direction is not a projection of success in this season, but from 2015-19.

Great teams of the NFL’s recent history are poised to fall and new teams that have long been in the cellar are set to rise. How will your favorite team fair over the next five years?