NFL grades, aftermath for teams coming off Week 10 bye

The 2022 NFL season is now at its halfway point. Each of the 32 teams has played at least nine games and dozen clubs have taken the field 10 times. So after some time off, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and New York Jets will be back on the field this Sunday afternoon – the latter two teams against each other in Foxborough. How has this quarter fared to date? There’s been a grade attached to all four clubs.

NFL Grades for teams coming off Week 10 Bye

Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

After a 3-3 start, John Harbaugh’s club appears to be hitting its stride. The Ravens are alone at the top of the AFC North and are in the midst of a three-game winning streak. And it’s been a rejuvenated Baltimore defense that is playing its best football of the season the last few weeks.

Veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston has led the charge the past three games, totaling 6.5 of the club’s 12 sacks. And Lamar Jackson has led a very efficient offense.

Grade: B+

Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)

The reigning AFC champions have overcome a 0-2 start and own a winning resume with eight games to play. But Zac Taylor’s squad has been inconsistent at best so far, despite some explosive performances at home against the Falcons and Panthers.

Quarterback Joe Burrow has been solid after an iffy start but a new-look offensive line is still a work in progress. But there’s a little concern for the defending division champions – 0-3 vs. their AFC North rivals.

Grade: B-

New England Patriots (5-4)

Sluggish starts have always seemingly been a part of the Patriots under head coach Bill Belichick – regardless of who has played quarterback. This year, the team dropped three of its first four games before winning four of their last five contests.

Quarterbacks Mac Jones (8) and rookie Bailey Zappe (6) have combined for 14 of the team’s 17 turnovers. The Pats have allowed a combined 49 points in five victories and 117 points in their four setbacks.

Grade: B-

New York Jets (6-3)

It’s already been a season of notable strides for a franchise that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2010 – the longest-current streak of futility in the league. The Jets are 5-1 in their last six contests after a 1-2 start.

Robert Saleh’s club ranks seventh in the NFL in total yards per game allowed and 10th in the league in points per game surrendered. The jury is still out on inconsistent Zach Wilson but this improving team has found many ways to win.

Grade: A-

Aftermath

There were only two divisions (AFC North and AFC East) affected by the teams off in Week 10. The Steelers and Browns – both off in Week 9 – now own identical 3-6 records in the AFC North. Pittsburgh hosted the Saints and came away with a 20-10 win. Meanwhile, Cleveland was handled by the Dolphins, 29-17, at South Florida.

And speaking of the AFC East, Mike McDaniel’s club is now atop the division with a 7-3 record. That’s because the Bills fell at home in overtime to the Vikings, 33-30, in arguably the wildest game of 2022 to date.