It’s time to hand out First-Quarter Grades

High Honor Roll

New England Patriots

Record: 4-0

Best in Class: Patriots Defense

The Patriots continue to be the class of the NFL. Bill Belichick took over the defensive play-calling duties. The result? They are giving up 6.8 points per game. Regardless of the competition, any defense doing that through four games is impressive. Tom Brady, up until the Buffalo game this past Sunday, has been the quarterback we all know and loath. The Patriots lead the AFC East once again with no signs of slowing down.

Grade: A+

Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 4 -0

Best in Class: Pat Mahomes

Over the last year and four games, no quarterback has come close to the level of Pat Mahomes. Even after the nail biter Sunday in Motown, the Chiefs hit the quarter-point at 4-0 and look like the best team in the NFL. Could this finally be the team that head coach Andy Reid takes all the way

Grade: A+

San Francisco 49ers

Record: 3-0

Best in Class: Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo is back to his old ways in his return from an ACL injury. All he does is win. This 49er team was 4-12 a year ago, and now they sit in first place in the NFC West. Even with a five turnover performance against the Steelers, Kyle Shanahan has his team as one of the best in football at the quarter-point.

Grade: A+

New Orleans Saints

Record: 3-1

Best in Class: Sean Payton

The Saints overall may get an A+, but the coaching Sean Payton has done since losing Hall of Famer Drew Brees has been worthy of an A++. The coach has been nothing short of incredible through the first four games. The Saints have combined an efficient Teddy Bridgewater with finding a new way to win the last two weeks climbing to 3-1 on the year. They have kept themselves in the upper half of the NFC with only four more games till Brees is back at the helm.

Grade: A+

Green Bay Packers

Record: 3-1

Best in Class: Packers Defense

New coach Matt LaFleur has them at 3-1 behind a stout defense and enough offense, most of the time. It helps to have Aaron Rodgers healthy and making plays. They still have work to do, but they make the grade sitting in first place in the tough NFC North.

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys

Record: 3-1

Best in Class: Kellen Moore

The Cowboys came out firing on all cylinders well on their way to an A+. Then came the Saints. They are still in first in the NFC East, along with being supremely talented. Kellen Moore has brought some knowledge and life to the offense this season. The division is up for grabs, and Dallas is at the head of the class for now.

Grade: A

Buffalo Bills

Record: 3-1

Best in Class: Sean McDermott

The Bills deserve to be at the top of the class by overcoming the rollercoaster that is Josh Allen through the first four weeks. The defense has proven to be elite. They also went toe to toe with the Patriots. This grade is well earned.

Grade: A

Detroit Lions

Record: 2-1-1

Best in Class: Matt Patricia

The Lions have gone from the bottom of the class to right in the thick of things. Matt Patricia has taken his free-agent frenzy to wins against the LA Chargers and Eagles, along with a near-win against the cream of the crop Chiefs. Watch out NFC North Motown is coming for you.

Grade: A

Chicago Bears

Record: 3-1

Best in Class: Bears Defense

The Bears look nearly identical to last year’s team. That team went 12-4 and was a field goal miss away from beating the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. That team also was looking for improvement from some areas this season to take the next step. They have not done so, and now franchise quarterback Mitch Trubisky is hurt. It will be a tough road, but this team is willing to grind out the grade.

Grade: A–

Seattle Seahawks

Record: 3-1

Best in Class: Russell Wilson

The Seahawks have been the ‘does just enough to get the A’ student. They barely beat a combined 1-6 Steelers and Bengals by a total of three points. Then lost to the Breesless Saints. The closed out with a strong all-around performance against Arizona. While it could be better, they squeak into the high honor roll.

Grade: A–

Los Angeles Rams

Record: 3-1

Best in Class: Aaron Donald

Grade: A–

The Rams were cruising along to an A+, then wham they failed the last test of the quarter. When you have 55 points dropped on you by any team, that is something. This team was the struggling Buccaneers making it a definite fail. Obviously, this is a talented group, and they should find the way back to A+ status as the season rolls along.

Honor Roll

Houston Texans

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: DeShaun Watson

The Texans are currently in first place in the AFC south. They have played well but certainly should be an A student. This inconsistency comes down to the man in charge of it all, Bill O’Brien. He has yet to maximize the talent given to him. A new head coach should be in consideration. Deshaun Watson’s fantastic ability continues to be held back by O’Brien’s coaching.

Grade: B

Cleveland Browns

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Nick Chubb

They pulled themselves out of the ashes with an A+ performance against the Ravens. In doing so, they are now the division leader, placing them a notch above other teams that have had similar starts. While the work is a bit sloppy, the talent is keeping them afloat.

Grade: B

Indianapolis Colts

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Jacoby Brissett

I nearly gave the Colts a B+ based on what initially looked to most like a transitional season. With Andrew Luck retiring, most Colts fans felt hopeless and angry. They were utterly wrong. Jacoby Brissett has been great, and the offense has been perfectly fine. In actuality, it’s the defense that is currently keeping this team from a higher grade. But keep in mind, this team was failing at this time a year ago then made the playoffs. Anything is possible.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Aaron Ekeler

The Chargers faced a tough road to start the year. Games against Detroit, Houston, and Indianapolis is like getting three of the hardest questions first. They closed with the most straightforward question on the test, but now have problems of their own with injuries creeping in. The Chargers are a talented team with a great quarterback. The best should be ahead.

Grade: B

Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Carson Wentz

The Eagles have all the talent you could want…on the injured list. Each week they seem to lose a player or two to injury. Excellent coaching and sheer grit have kept this team in stride with the others in their division. If they get a little more healthy, we could see some significant improvement by the end of the year.

Grade: B

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Chris Godwin

The Bucs blew the doors off the Rams 55-40 to end the quarter. That is how you finish a grading period. When you combine with two losses by a total of two points, it warrants a B for this confusing club. The Bruce Arians mojo is in full effect down in Tampa.

Grade: B

Carolina Panthers

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Christian McCaffrey

The Panthers started 0-2 and lost starting quarterback Cam Newton to a foot injury. With a season on the verge of an F, the Panthers needed young quarterback Kyle Allen to be ready. Boy, was he ever. Since taking over the starting job, he has gone 2-0, completing 71% of his passes for 493 and four touchdowns. That is how you take an F to a B-.

Grade: B-

Tennessee Titans

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Derrick Henry

The Titans have the quarterback that is just good enough some of the time to think he can eventually be great. The problem is it has been four-plus years of the same. They get an A on defense and a B+ in the running game, but the passing attack is a C at best. They need more from the QB to move beyond a mediocre team.

Grade: B-

New York Giants

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones, who would have thought? Apparently, Dave Gettleman. I know, I know small sample size. The young man is 2-0, and that is what matters. Will he make the grade long term? Who knows. But for right now, he is passing.

Grade: B-

Baltimore Ravens

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Mark Ingram

2-0 against teams with a combined 0-7-1. 0-2 against teams with a combined 6-2 record. They sneak into a B- for being innovative in how they are staying competitive. The Ravens will need Jackson to take the next step in his development to be great.

Grade: B-

Trying Hard but Average

Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Gardner Minshew

Cult icon Gardner Minshew has saved the Jaguars season with his excellent play since taking over for Nick Foles. He is 2-1 as the starter and is gaining more confidence from his teammates by the day. Will a possible knee injury slow him down? Or is this the franchise QB, the Jags, have been seeking? So far, he is getting an A.

Grade: C+

Oakland Raiders

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Josh Jacobs

The enigma that is Jon Gruden and his Raider team continue to baffle everyone. One week they look like a team on the verge of breaking out. The next, they look like they are trying for another top pick. Josh Jacobs has been fantastic all year. That makes them an average student.

Grade: C–

Minnesota Vikings

Record: 2-2

Best in Class: Dalvin Cook

Kirk Cousins continues to prove he deserves an F, while the rest of this team is an A. Without Dalvin Cook and the defense, this team would be in a lot of trouble. Will Zimmer, Spielman, and Cousins, even with guaranteed money left, be back next year?

Grade: C–

They are Passing, Barely

Atlanta Falcons

Record: 1-3

Best in Class: Julio Jones

The defense is the problem. Dan Quinn should have the answer. He does not seem to have one, which is costing a talented team. They just missed a failing grade. Julio Jones continues to be Julio Jones, so they have that.

Grade: D-

Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 1-3

Best in Class: Stephon Tuitt

Without Big Ben, the Steelers offense has sputtered. Mason Rudolph has solid numbers but has struggled to score points. The defense has been solid with Stephon Tuitt having a career-best start with 3.5 sacks through four games. It could be a long year for the first time in a long time in Steelers nation.

Grade: D-

Failing

Arizona Cardinals

Record: 0-3-1

Best in Class: Kyler Murray

Kliff Kingsbury failed in college, so the record has not been a surprise, except to the Cardinals brass, maybe. This team lacks the talent and coaching to compete week in and week out. Kyler Murray has shown signs of explosiveness, and Larry Fitzgerald has found the fountain of youth so far this season. In the end, this is a lousy football team playing for the number one pick again.

Grade: F

Denver Broncos

Record: 0-4

Best in Class: Courtland Sutton

The Broncos came into the 2019 season with hopes of playoff contention. After the first quarter, they are failing miserably. Joe Flacco has been unable to live up to unreal expectations, and the offense has once again been awful. Has the time come to move on from Elway? The lone bright spot through all of this is the development of Cortland Sutton. Another top pick is on the way.

Grade: F

Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 0-4

Best in Class: John Ross

The Bengals try really hard but don’t have enough to pass. Injuries and plain talent have held this team back this year. The best thing to come out of the first quarter was the development of the former top-ten pick, John Ross.

Grade: F

New York Jets

Record: 0-4

Best in Class: Jamal Adams

The Jets have been done in by critical injuries and a lack of depth on the roster. This lack of depth is what takes place when the former GM could not make a good pick past the first round. It looks like another year in the top ten of the draft.

Grade: F

Washington Redskins

Record: 0-4

Best in Class: Terry McLaurin

The mediocre Kirk Cousins/Alex Smith led Redskins are a thing of the past. Now they are just horrible. Infighting over who plays has started among the organizational levels. The slow march of Jay Gruden’s death as the head coach has also begun. So all just the norm for the Daniel Snyder owned ball club. They do have a great looking young wideout that could be making a name for himself in Terry McLaurin.

Grade: F

Miami Dolphins

Record: 0-4

Best in Class: Draft Picks

We all know what the Dolphins are doing. There is no need to rehash it.

Grade: F

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