Grades, aftermath for teams coming off Week 9 bye

By the end of Week 10, every NFL team would have played at least nine games. Get ready for those midseason report cards. Here is the latest installment of a series that began when the off-weeks in October. There are also grades for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers. And how did Week 9 action within these teams respective divisions affect these well-rested clubs?

NFL 2022: Grades for teams coming off Week 9 Bye

Cleveland Browns (3-5)

It’s been a disappointing start for a team that’s roster certainly has its share of talent. Running back Nick Chubb ranks second in the NFL with 841 yards rushing and has already reached the end zone 10 times.

Wideout Amari Cooper and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have been on the same page and tight end David Njoku has been solid. But Joe Woods’ defensive unit, save for end Myles Garrett, has been a big disappointment and it has cost the team.

Grade: C-

Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

Mike McCarthy’s club may be more fun to watch when the defense is on the field. Spearheaded by linebacker Micah Parsons (8), the Cowboys lead the NFL with 33 sacks. And the team that led the league in takeaways a year ago has forced 13 turnovers in eight games.

Dan Quinn’s run defense could certainly use some work. The Dallas’ offense has had its moments but the team has done a good job taking care of the football via seven turnovers.

Grade: A-

Denver Broncos (3-5)

The franchise hasn’t been to the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50. The team had posted five straight losing seasons entering 2022. There were high hopes after the Broncos acquired nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson from Seattle.

But only the Colts and Steelers are averaging fewer points per contest. The Denver offense has produced just 11 TDs in eight games. The defense has been stellar but Bradley Chubb was dealt to Miami.

Grade: C

New York Giants (6-2)

The team has not been to the playoffs since 2016. And winning six of your first eight games guarantees nothing. Head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen, who have made this a tough team in the trenches.

A return to Pro Bowl form by Saquon Barkley has the club ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing. The team will give up yards but is third in the NFL in defensive red zone TD efficiency (42.9 percent). And this scrappy club has had a knack for comebacks.

Grade: A

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)

This is the second-lowest scoring team in the NFL (15.0 average). The Steelers are ranked 28th in the league in total offense while only three teams are allowing more yards per game.

The loss of T.J. Watt has been a blow to a pass rush that had seven sacks in a Week 1 win over Cincinnati and eight QB traps since. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett added a spark but has nine of the club’s 14 turnovers. Mike Tomlin and his staff is under great scrutiny.

Grade: D

San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

Inconsistency has been the biggest issue for Kyle Shanahan’s talented club. The season began with Trey Lance behind center but he was injured in Week 2. Fortunately, veteran Jimmy Garoppolo was not traded away this offseason.

The good news is that the Niners are 3-0 within the division, including a win over the Seahawks. Shanahan’s team has allowed a combined 45 points in four wins but given up 102 points in their four setbacks.

Grade: B

Aftermath

It’s interesting to note that every team that was ahead of the Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Giants, Steelers and 49ers in their division standings won in Week 9.

In the AFC North, the Ravens and Bengals both feasted on NFC South clubs in wins over the Saints and Panthers, respectively. In the NFC East, the Eagles rose their record to 8-0 win a 29-17 victory at Houston. As of the Commanders, they squandered a 10-point lead at home in a loss to Minnesota.

In the AFC West, both the Chiefs and Chargers came from behind to beat the Titans (in overtime) and Falcons, respectively, and by identical 20-17 scores thanks to field goals on the final play of the game.

And when it case of the NFC West, the first-place Seahawks won their fourth consecutive game via a 31-21 triumph at Arizona. Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champion Rams fell at Tampa, 16-13.