2023 Grades for All 16 NFC Teams

The best and worst moments, plus offseason outlook as teams look to the combine, free agency and the NFL draft, including the 49ers, who lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

The 2024 NFL postseason is in the books after the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, ushering in the start of what should be an exciting offseason.

Two weeks from now is the start of the scouting combine in Indianapolis, followed by free agency and the owners’ meetings in March, the draft April 25–27 in Detroit, the schedule release in May and then we’re on to OTAs and minicamps in May and June.

[Buy now! Relive Super Bowl LVIII with Sports Illustrated’s commemorative issue]

But before we move to the offseason, let’s hand out the final NFC grade to the San Francisco 49ers.

Detroit Lions: A

The Lions flexed their muscles throughout the season, winning their first division title in 30 years and hosting a playoff game.

Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK

• Record: 14–6

• Team MVP: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR. The third-year wideout wasn’t happy about being snubbed from the Pro Bowl, but he received a better accolade after being named a first-team All-Pro. Jared Goff often turned to St. Brown for crucial plays during the regular season. St. Brown’s knack for getting open also expanded the playbook for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to get tight end Sam LaPorta, wide receiver Jameson Williams and many others involved on the field. St. Brown recorded 119 catches for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns in the regular season.

• Best moment: The Lions survived a thriller against the Rams in the wild-card round to give them their first postseason victory in 32 years. Goff knocked out his former team connecting with St. Brown for an 11-yard completion to kill the remaining time and seal the Lions’ one-point victory over the Rams. It was a raucous environment at Ford Field, with the thousands of Lions fans waiting 30 years for a home playoff game. As for another memorable moment, the Lions defeated the Vikings in Week 16 to clinch their first division title in 30 years. Aidan Hutchinson and his teammates had a well deserved party in the team’s locker room after clinching the NFC North.

• Worst moment: The Lions were embarrassed by the Baltimore Ravens 38–6 during Week 7. Lamar Jackson threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns and generated 503 yards against Detroit’s defense. The Ravens exposed the Lions’ poor secondary and it led to a string of poor defensive performances. Detroit allowed 26 points or more in every game between Week 10 and 14. The Lions’ defense, however, did show signs of improvement down the stretch, with key contributions from rookie defensive back Brian Branch and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.
• Offseason outlook: The Lions had a memorable season, but they missed a golden opportunity to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history after blowing a 17-point lead to the 49ers in the NFC title game. The Lions will likely have a familiar roster in 2024 after many of their rookies turned into stars this season, but they’ll need to address issues in the secondary, especially at outside cornerback. Goff did enough to prove he’s the right franchise quarterback in Detroit and could see a new deal to remain with the team. When Goff is well protected, he tends to deliver as a quality starting quarterback in the NFL. But the Lions’ prolific offense might take a hit if offensive play-caller Johnson leaves for a head coaching job. 

Green Bay Packers: A-

Love and the Packers lost a heartbreaker to the 49ers in the divisional playoffs.

Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 10–9

• Team MVP: Jordan Love, QB. The first-year starter quickly established himself as the next star quarterback in Green Bay, following the footsteps of Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Love had a few ups and downs during the first half of the season, partly because of inexperience, turnovers and injuries to notable players. But Love found his stride, combining his vast skill set with savvy plays on the field. He guided the Packers to six wins in their final eight regular-season games to clinch the seventh seed in the NFC. Love also displayed leadership by helping his young pass catchers develop throughout the season. He recorded 4,159 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during the regular season.

• Best moment: The Packers made history after crushing the Cowboys in the wild-card round, becoming the first No. 7 seed to defeat a No. 2 seed since the league expanded to 14 playoff teams in 2020. Green Bay also snapped Dallas’s 16-game winning streak at AT&T Stadium. The Packers quickly set the tone by electing to receive, as Love & Co. marched downfield for an opening-drive touchdown. Love picked apart the Cowboys’ stout defense, but the Packers’ surprising season ended against the 49ers in the divisional round.

• Worst moment: The Packers’ offense hit rock bottom after a 24–10 loss to the Vikings to extend their losing streak to four games. Love threw an interception in the Week 8 loss, giving him seven during the four-game losing skid. Love only threw three interceptions in the final 10 games and the team didn’t register less than 19 points in a game after the setback in Minnesota.

• Offseason outlook: Coach Matt LaFleur could soon have a dominant offense after Love’s breakout season and the development of young playmakers such as Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and Luke Musgrave. But LaFleur will need to make changes with the defense, which had another disappointing season under defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Green Bay might be in need of a new left tackle if they decide to cut David Bakhtiari for cap space. Love could see a massive long-term deal this offseason after outplaying the one-year, $22.5 million contract extension he signed last year to ensure a fifth year in Green Bay. 

Los Angeles Rams: A-

• Record: 10–8

• Team MVP: Kyren Williams, RB. Some might disagree because of the sensational seasons from Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua. But the Rams desperately missed Williams when he missed four games due to injury earlier in the season. Williams provided glimpses of being a true No. 1 running back in the first month of the season and Los Angeles’s offense took off when he returned from injured reserve. Williams’s production put less pressure on Stafford and it allowed Nacua and Cooper Kupp to see less defenders in coverage. Williams, a 2022 fifth-round pick, rushed for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games in the regular season. He averaged 95.3 yards per game and was named a second-team All-Pro.

• Best moment: Jason Myers missed a 55-yard field-goal attempt as time expired to give the Rams a 17–16 victory over the Seahawks in Week 11. That moment changed the course of the Rams, who were 3–6 before sweeping their NFC West rivals. It was a hard-fought game because the Rams were without Williams and received contributions from running backs Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson. A week later, Williams was on the field and the Rams surged as one of the best offenses in the NFL.

• Worst moment: The Rams appeared headed for back-to-back losing seasons after falling 20–3 in Green Bay and went into the bye week with a 3–6 record. Backup Brett Rypien, who filled in for an injured Stafford, only produced 187 total yards. But Los Angeles never looked back after the embarrassing Week 9 loss. The Rams won seven of their final eight regular-season games to clinch the sixth seed in the NFC.
  
  
• Offseason outlook: The Rams took many steps forward offensively, but they’ll need to continue improving the offensive line. Offensive guard Kevin Dotson is a pending free agent and the team will need to decide whether to stick with Alaric Jackson at left tackle. But the Rams need plenty of work in the secondary and could use another pass rusher, which was clear in the shootout loss against the Lions in the wild-card round. They could also have a new-look defense if defensive coordinator Raheem Morris ends up leaving for a head coaching job. The Rams will have plenty of cap space to spend big on the top free agents this offseason. Los Angeles currently has $44 million in cap space, according to Overthecap.com. With a franchise-changing draft class led by Nacua, the Rams could be a Super Bowl contender next season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+

• Record: 10–9

• Team MVP: Mike Evans, WR. The Buccaneers might be kicking themselves for not agreeing to a contract extension with Evans before the 2023 season. A motivated Evans posted his best statistical season since 2018, as the 30-year-old wideout recorded 79 catches for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season. Evans, who was named to the Pro Bowl, quickly established a connection with quarterback Baker Mayfield and flourished in his first season with Dave Canales as the offensive play-caller. Evans will either get hit with the franchise tag or receive a lucrative contract extension from the Buccaneers or a different team.

• Best moment: Mayfield and the Buccaneers made a statement after recording a dominant 34–20 upset victory in Green Bay during Week 15. Mayfield posted a perfect passer rating of 158.3, becoming the first opposing quarterback to achieve that feat at Lambeau Field. Mayfield finished 22-of-28 for 381 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Godwin contributed 10 catches for 155 yards. The stellar performance put the league on notice about Canales, who has received interviews for head coaching jobs. We also can’t forget about the Buccaneers’ dominant victory against the Eagles in the wild-card round.

• Worst moment: It seemed the Buccaneers’ early success was a fluke after the team lost four consecutive games from Week 6 to 9. Mayfield struggled to ignite the offense and Todd Bowles’s veteran-filled defense took a few steps back, including allowing 39 points to C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans during a Week 9 loss. But Mayfield, Evans and the rest of the offense generated 37 points to give them momentum for the final two months of the season. Tampa Bay only recorded 37 total points in the prior three games before the shootout in Houston.
• Offseason outlook: After a postseason loss to the Lions, the Buccaneers will need to decide whether to stick with Bowles for a third season. Tampa Bay had issues defending the pass, despite having plenty of playmakers in the secondary—a notable problem during the loss in Detroit. Also, the Buccaneers might not be pleased with Bowles’s game management in crunch time and lack of aggressiveness on fourth down. But Bowles has a strong case to return because not many expected Tampa Bay to advance to the divisional round as NFC South champions in the first season without Tom Brady. Perhaps Canales could be in play for a promotion if the Buccaneers decide to search for a new head coach. Tampa Bay will also need to prioritize in-house free agents such as Mayfield, Evans and All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. 

Seattle Seahawks: B-

Metcalf recorded 66 receptions for 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns.

Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 9–8

• Team MVP: DK Metcalf, WR. Many star players disappointed for the Seahawks this season, and even Metcalf didn’t play up to his lofty expectations. But he bailed out the Seahawks a handful of times, and it was evident that they played better when Geno Smith got him involved. Metcalf, a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, recorded 66 receptions for 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 16.9 yards per reception.

• Best moment: The Seahawks saved their season after backup Drew Lock delivered a game-winning touchdown to rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, 20–17, on Monday Night Football in Week 15. Overall, it was an ugly game, but it snapped the Seahawks’ four-game losing streak, giving them a few more shots to make the postseason. They fell short because of the Week 17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Worst moment: The four-game losing streak against the Rams, 49ers (twice) and Dallas Cowboys. That stretch proved that the Seahawks were more of a fringe playoff team than a Super Bowl contender with a star-studded roster. Many will point the blame at Smith, who regressed after a breakout 2022 season. But the Seahawks’ defense never got on the same page, allowing 117 points during that ugly four-game losing streak.

• Offseason outlook: The Seahawks will need to decide whether to cut Smith or commit to him for another season, which would cost the team a cap hit of $31.2 million for 2024. That’s still lower than most starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Unless they stumble on the Washington Huskies’ Michael Penix Jr. in the draft, the Seahawks should prioritize the defensive side. They need to figure out what went wrong with a team that featured Bobby Wagner, Leonard Williams, Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon and Dre’Mont Jones. A few veteran defenders probably won’t be back in Seattle next season.

New Orleans Saints: B-

Carr played at a high level for the final four games of the regular season (998 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception).

Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 9–8

• Team MVP: Derek Carr, QB. He was inconsistent most of the season, but it wasn’t entirely his fault the Saints missed the postseason. Carr gave them one final postseason push by playing at a high level for the final four games of the regular season (998 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception). It took longer than expected, but Carr developed a downfield attack with wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Carr ended his first season in New Orleans with 3,878 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

• Best moment: The Saints had an entertaining shootout against the Indianapolis Colts, a 38–27 road victory in Week 8 to improve to 4–4. Carr & Co. generated 511 total yards and had a handful of playmakers contribute in the thrilling victory. Alvin Kamara had 110 total yards and two touchdowns, and do-it-all playmaker Taysom Hill had 63 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

• Worst moment: Many Saints fans began to sour on Carr after he threw a pick-six to Jessie Bates III during the 24–15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12. The Saints got into the red zone a handful of times and failed to score a touchdown despite producing 444 total yards. Kicker Blake Grupe scored all the Saints’ points. New Orleans did get revenge, beating Atlanta 48–17 in the regular-season finale.

• Offseason outlook: The Saints will probably attempt to make it work another season with coach Dennis Allen and Carr, who’s owed $30 million guaranteed in 2024. But New Orleans needs to start getting younger, especially on the defensive side. And the Saints should probably look to draft a quarterback. Expect New Orleans to part with a few prominent veterans to get under the salary cap. The Saints are currently a whopping $72.3 million over the cap for ’24.

San Francisco 49ers: B

Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 14–6

• Team MVP: Christian McCaffrey, RB. The three-time first-team All-Pro delivered another dynamic season to turn the 49ers’ offense into a juggernaut this season. With McCaffrey leading the charge, the 49ers averaged 28.9 points per game and scored 30 points or more in nine games during the regular season. McCaffrey rushed for a league-high 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns, and contributed 67 catches for 564 yards and seven touchdowns.

• Best moment: The 49ers made a statement and gained revenge in Week 13 after crushing the Eagles, 42–19. The Eagles got the best of the 49ers in last year’s NFC title game, but that was without Brock Purdy, who missed most of the game due to an injury to his throwing arms. The 49ers proved they could beat the Eagles with their starting quarterback. They also might have provided the blueprint for how to beat the Eagles, who lost five of their final six games after falling to the 49ers. That was also the game that saw the Eagles’ security guard get into a heated exchange with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers Once Again Fall Short of Super Bowl Win

Read More

Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers Once Again Fall Short of Super Bowl Win

Read More

• Worst moment: San Francisco enjoyed a 10-point lead in the Super Bowl but couldn't close the door on the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers had numerous opportunities to put away the Chiefs in the third quarter but couldn't get the job done, losing to Kansas City in the Super Bowl for the second time in five years.

• Offseason outlook: After another disappointing playoff exit, the 49ers will probably ask themselves, “What else can we do to win a Super Bowl?” They had a stacked roster with possibly the best offense of the Kyle Shanahan era in San Francisco. They also upgraded the defensive line with Javon Hargrave and Chase Young to help Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead. And it still wasn’t enough to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in overtime. They also don’t have much cap flexibility because they have paid most of their star players outside of Brandon Aiyuk and Purdy. Don’t be surprised if the 49ers go after Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, a pending free agent. The 49ers will also need to improve their secondary, an area that was exposed by the Packers and Lions in the postseason. 

Dallas Cowboys: C+

Prescott and the Cowboys were eliminated by the Packers in the wild-card round.

Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 12–6

• Team MVP: Dak Prescott, QB. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb also had a strong case to be the team MVP in Dallas. But Prescott quickly grasped Mike McCarthy’s “Texas Coast” offense and delivered arguably the best season of his eight-year career. Prescott and Lamb formed a lethal connection and were nearly unstoppable in most games this season. Prescott’s MVP-worthy numbers helped the Cowboys clinch the NFC East for the first time since 2021. Prescott recorded 4,516 passing yards, a league-high 36 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions.

• Best moment: The Cowboys finally earned a signature victory after defeating the Eagles, 33–13, at home in Week 14. Dallas also extended its winning streak to four games, including victories against the Giants, Commanders and Seahawks. The Cowboys’ defense didn’t allow Jalen Hurts and his Eagles’ offense to record a touchdown. Prescott had a stellar performance, passing for 271 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

• Worst moment: The Cowboys getting crushed by 32 points against the 49ers in Week 5 deserves consideration. But it can’t top the Cowboys’ disappointing one-and-done postseason after clinching the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the conference. The Cowboys fell to the Packers, 48–32, becoming the first No. 2 seed to lose to a No. 7 seed since the league expanded to a seven-team postseason format in 2020. It was all set up for the Cowboys to finally advance to the NFC title game for the first time in three decades because they opened the playoffs with a 16-game winning streak at AT&T Stadium. Instead, the Packers with a new quarterback (Jordan Love) gave the Cowboys another postseason disappointment.

• Offseason outlook: The Cowboys continue to show why football pundits refuse to trust them as Super Bowl contenders regardless of what they achieve in the regular season. With another early postseason exit, owner Jerry Jones could shake up the roster and coaching staff. McCarthy might be on the hot seat, especially with Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh looking for jobs. Also, the Cowboys will need to decide whether to re-sign Prescott to another lucrative contract extension. Prescott’s latest playoff dud might make the team hesitate, but they’ll eventually realize that there won’t be many options to land a better signal-caller than Prescott. Lamb and Micah Parsons are also due for massive contract extensions. 

Minnesota Vikings: C+

Cousins helped the Vikings overcome an 0–3 start, winning four of five games before he tore his Achilles.

Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 7–10

• Team MVP: Kirk Cousins, QB. He missed the final nine games of the regular season because of a torn Achilles, but not many quarterbacks played better than he did during the first two months of the season. He played so well that there are now rumors about him and the organization possibly agreeing on another contract extension. Cousins helped the Vikings overcome an 0–3 start, winning four out of five games before the injury. He ended the season with 2,331 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes and five interceptions.

• Best moment: The Vikings managed to dig themselves out of their 0–3 start, but it seemed the season was over for good after Cousins went down. That wasn’t the case because Joshua Dobbs’s arrival from Arizona gave the Vikings new life, starting with his spectacular debut in the Week 9 victory against the Falcons. Dobbs recorded 224 total yards, three total touchdowns and a game-winning drive in Atlanta five days after being traded for the second time in two months.

• Worst moment: Cousins’s season-ending Achilles injury eventually hurt the team because Dobbs failed to cut down on his turnovers, which was also the case with Nick Mullens. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was so frustrated with his turnover-prone quarterbacks that he turned to rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall before the team faced the Packers on New Year’s Eve. But the move didn’t matter, as the Packers routed the Vikings, 33–10.

• Offseason outlook: If Cousins is on track for the start of the 2024 season, perhaps he and the Vikings agree to a short-term contract extension. They could also look to draft a quarterback in the middle of the first round, but this team could use another offensive lineman and more help on the defensive side. The defense had a quick turnaround with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who might gain a few interviews for head-coaching vacancies. Also, the Vikings will need to prioritize Justin Jefferson’s looming contract extension, as the star wideout heads into his fifth and final year on his rookie contract.

Philadelphia Eagles: C

• Record: 11–7

• Team MVP: Jalen Hurts, QB. Hurts didn’t match his breakout 2022 season, but he was instrumental in helping the Eagles start the season with a 10–1 record. The Eagles dominated offensively with Hurts executing the Brotherly Shove and throwing downfield to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but not much went right during the second half of the season. Hurts made costly turnovers, as the Eagles lost five of their final six regular-season games, allowing the Cowboys to take the NFC East. Hurts threw for 3,858 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, and added 15 rushing touchdowns in the regular season.

• Best moment: The Eagles outlasted the Buffalo Bills, 37–34, in overtime during Week 12 for one of the most entertaining games of the regular season. The Eagles’ defense struggled to contain Josh Allen & Co., allowing 505 total yards. But Hurts and his offense had one of their best performances of the season, recording 185 rushing yards. The victory gave the Eagles a 10–1 record and the best record in the NFC. But then it fell apart for Philadelphia’s offense and defense, as they limped into the postseason before exiting in the wild-card round after a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

• Worst moment: The Eagles had an opportunity to put aside their slump to regain control of the NFC East, but they were upset at home by the Cardinals in Week 17. Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson took heat for questionable play calls in the fourth quarter of the 35–31 loss. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon won the revenge game against his former team, as his defense held the Eagles’ offense to 275 yards. The Eagles were upset again the following week, this time against the Giants in the regular-season finale.

• Offseason outlook: The Eagles will need to revamp their defense by adding youth and playmakers at linebacker and in the secondary. They’re also thin on the defensive line outside of rookie Jalen Carter and edge rusher Haason Reddick. Coach Nick Sirianni might be forced to make changes with his coordinators after both sides of the football struggled in 2023. He could also be on the hot seat. Philadelphia will likely be in need of new leaders, with center Jason Kelce and defensive linemen Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox possibly retiring in the offseason. Hurts will need to figure out what went wrong down the stretch, specifically with Brown cooling off in the final two months of the regular season.

Chicago Bears: C

Moore had career highs in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364) and receiving touchdowns (eight).

Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 7–10

• Team MVP: DJ Moore, WR. The sixth-year veteran had a career season during his first year with the Bears. Moore, who was snubbed from the Pro Bowl, had career highs in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364) and receiving touchdowns (eight). More importantly, he developed a dynamic downfield connection with Justin Fields. Moore’s production makes the Carolina Panthers’ trade with Chicago so much worse. The Bears have the Panthers’ No. 1 pick for the 2024 draft and their former standout wideout, who will likely make plays in Chicago for years to come.

• Best moment: The Bears turned a corner after defeating the Detroit Lions, 28–13, in Week 14. It was a complete performance that saw the defense hold the Lions’ explosive offense to 267 yards and forced them into three turnovers. Fields made several plays with his arms and legs, throwing for 223 yards and running for 58 yards. The win made up for the fourth-quarter collapse against the Lions during the first meeting, in Week 11.

• Worst moment: Perhaps the Bears could have gained a wild-card spot had Fields remained healthy throughout the 2023 season. Fields missed four games because of a thumb injury, leading to a 2–2 record with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent as the starting quarterback. Who knows whether the Bears would have beaten the Chargers and/or the Saints during that four-game stretch, but Fields returned to play some of the best football of his career.

• Offseason outlook: The Bears’ looming decision on Fields will have a major impact on the draft. Chicago will have the option of drafting the USC Trojans’ Caleb Williams or North Carolina Tar Heels’ Drake Maye with the top pick from Carolina. But Fields’s improvement as a passer and his connection with Moore could push the organization to trade the No. 1 pick for a boatload of picks to continue building the roster. Coach Matt Eberflus has probably earned himself a third season due to the improvements on both sides of the football. He turned the Bears into a top rushing defense, and got career years from cornerback Jaylon Johnson, linebacker T.J. Edwards and edge rusher Montez Sweat. But the Bears will need to re-sign Johnson and add more quality defensive backs to improve the rocky pass defense.

Atlanta Falcons: C-

Bates’s career season included six interceptions and 132 total tackles.

Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 7–10

• Team MVP: Jessie Bates III, S. The former Bengal made a quick impact during his first year with the Falcons. Bates’s career season included six interceptions, 132 total tackles and his first Pro Bowl selection. Bates, who had a memorable 92-yard pick-six against the Saints, was also recognized by Pro Football Focus, which rated Bates the second best safety of 2023, earning a defensive grade of 90.6.

• Best moment: The Falcons overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter of their Week 2 victory against the Packers. It was a promising, all-around performance from a team loaded with playmakers. Bijan Robinson rushed for 124 yards, and Drake London recorded six catches for 67 yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately for coach Arthur Smith, his offense didn’t have many productive outings after the home victory against the Packers, partly due to the back-and-forth between struggling quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.

• Worst moment: The Falcons were one of the most inconsistent teams throughout the season, but they eventually revealed they have a ways to go before turning into a playoff team. That was clear in Week 15 after they fell to the two-win Panthers, 9–7. Smith’s offense produced a season-low 12 first downs, 204 total yards and five punts. It was one of many reminders that Smith failed to put his talented playmakers in positions to succeed.

• Offseason outlook: Smith was fired not long after the Falcons were crushed 48–17 against the Saints in the regular-season finale. Atlanta will probably take a swing at the big-name coaches available this offseason with the hopes of turning their talented roster into a playoff squad.

New York Giants: C-

Lawrence was worth every penny of his four-years, $90 million extension.

Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 6–11

• Team MVP: Dexter Lawrence, DT. Lawrence proved his breakout 2022 season was no fluke and earned every penny of the four-year, $90 million contract extension he signed in May. Lawrence again created havoc as a run stopper and pass rusher. He might have been the best interior defensive lineman in the league in ’23—Pro Football Focus gave him a defensive grade of 93.0, the best score at his position.

• Best moment: Tommy DeVito’s rise to prominence gave the Giants a fun story line during a rough season. The New Jersey native guided the Giants on an eight-play, 57-yard game-winning drive against the Packers during a memorable Monday Night Football matchup in Week 14. The come-from-behind victory also gave the Giants a three-game winning streak, all with DeVito as the starting quarterback.

• Worst moment: The Giants’ 40–0 loss to the Cowboys in the season opener was a sign of things to come during a disappointing 2023. Daniel Jones had two interceptions, including the first pick-six of the season for cornerback DaRon Bland. New York also allowed a 58-yard scoop-and-score touchdown after a blocked field-goal attempt. The Giants were blown out a second time by the Cowboys—a 49–17 setback in Week 10.

• Offseason outlook: With the No. 6 pick in the draft, the Giants could opt to draft a quarterback such as the LSU Tigers’ Jayden Daniels or Penix. But if that scenario comes to fruition, the Giants will need to decide whether to keep or move on from Jones, who has a guaranteed $36 million salary in ’24. (The team has an out in Jones’s four-year, $160 million contract extension after the ’24 season.) New York will likely let running back Saquon Barkley test the market after failing to agree on a long-term contract extension. The Giants have a few promising pieces on the defensive side, but they need to add more playmakers and depth for a unit that had many ups and downs. GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll could have a busy offseason as changes loom for the core group of the current roster.

Arizona Cardinals: C-

Murray had his moments after returning from a torn ACL.

Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Network

• Record: 4–13

• Team MVP: James Conner, RB. The Cardinals don’t have many playmakers, but the balance that Conner provided allowed offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to be creative as a play-caller. Conner helped the Cardinals compete the first month of the season and was missed after he was sidelined four games. Conner’s standout performance in Week 13 helped the Cardinals record a road upset victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished the season rushing for 1,040 yards, scoring seven touchdowns and averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

• Best moment: Beating the Cowboys, 28–16, in Week 3. This was one of the biggest upsets of the season because many expected the Cardinals to be the worst team in the NFL—that honor went to the Panthers. Arizona was competitive in many games under first-year coach Jonathan Gannon, starting with one-score losses to the Commanders and Giants to open the season. After the Cowboys crushed the Giants and New York Jets, Dallas had no answers for Conner, Dobbs and Petzing’s standout game plan. The Cardinals also recorded upsets against the Steelers and Eagles.

• Worst moment: The Cardinals weren’t as feisty in October and November despite the return of Kyler Murray in Week 10. But no game was worse than the 27–0 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 9. Fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune made his career debut, his lone start of the season. Without Conner, the Cardinals generated only 58 total yards, and Tune was sacked seven times.

• Offseason outlook: The Cardinals will need to decide whether to stick with Murray or draft a quarterback with their No. 4 pick. But all signs point to the Cardinals remaining committed to the 2019 No. 1 pick. Murray had his moments, but his subpar numbers weren’t much better than Dobbs’s, who started the first eight games before being traded to the Vikings. The Cardinals, however, know Murray didn’t have the best circumstances, playing with new coaches, a poor roster and missing the first nine games while recovering from a torn ACL. On defense, GM Monti Ossenfort and Gannon desperately need to add talent in the draft and free agency.

Washington Commanders: D

McLaurin finished the season with 79 catches for 1,002 yards and four touchdowns.

Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 4–13

• Team MVP: Terry McLaurin, WR. The fifth-year wideout was once again the best playmaker for Washington. He was the focal point of opposing defenses and still found ways to get open downfield. McLaurin’s numbers probably would have been better if Sam Howell hadn’t struggled with accuracy and the rushing attack didn’t constantly deliver underwhelming performances. McLaurin finished with 79 catches for 1,002 yards and four touchdowns. Also, a special shout-out to Sam Cosmi, who emerged as one of the best guards in the NFL.

• Best moment: Washington outlasting the Denver Broncos, 35–33, during a Week 2 shootout. Howell had one of his best games, throwing for 299 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. They also had a balanced attack, with Brian Robinson Jr. rushing for 87 yards. At this point, it appeared Washington was going to have a productive offense under first-year play-caller Eric Bieniemy. Obviously, it didn’t work out that way. Even Washington’s defense stepped up after preventing the Broncos from scoring on the two-point attempt after a wild Hail Mary touchdown from Russell Wilson to Brandon Johnson.

• Worst moment: The embarrassing 45–10 loss to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Ron Rivera’s defense was gashed by Dak Prescott, who had 331 passing yards and four touchdowns. Washington also allowed 45 points the following week in the loss to the Miami Dolphins. The Commanders had the worst defense in the league after trading Sweat and Chase Young.

• Offseason outlook: The Commanders will need to find a new coach after firing Rivera, something many saw coming after Josh Harris officially became the new majority owner of the team. Will the Commanders give Bieniemy an opportunity to interview for the job after how poorly it went for the offense in 2023? But not only do the Commanders need to find a new quarterback after benching Howell late in the season, they need to rebuild a defense that doesn’t have much talent outside of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Carolina Panthers: F

Young struggled in his first season after the Panthers selected him No. 1 in the 2023 NFL draft.

Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

• Record: 2–15

• Team MVP: Derrick Brown, DT. In his fourth NFL season, Brown surpassed edge rusher Brian Burns as the best defensive player in Carolina. Brown was a disruptor as a pass rusher and against the run, elevating himself as one of the best interior defensive lineman of 2023. The ’20 first-round pick should expect to see a lucrative contract extension from the team and possibly could receive accolades as an All-Pro.

• Best moment: There weren’t many memorable moments for the Panthers, who fired Frank Reich after only 11 games as coach. But their best moment has to be Bryce Young’s game-winning drive against the Houston Texans to give the Panthers their first win of the season after an 0–6 start. Young got the best of C.J. Stroud, but it was a rough rookie season for the No. 1 pick.

• Worst moment: The Week 16 loss to the Packers deserves some consideration for best moment because Young had his best performance of the season, throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns. But the 33–30 defeat might have stung the hardest due to a controversial review and poor execution by the offense on the final drive. First, the Romeo Doubs catch was upheld after the review—Adam Thielen strongly disagreed—leading to the Packers adding the eventual game-winning field goal. The Panthers had an opportunity to tie the game, but Young failed to spike the ball before time expired. And, yes, there were many embarrassing moments, but this one might have stung the most because this was a game Carolina should have won. And owner David Tepper throwing a drink at a Jacksonville Jaguars fan ranks right up there as an embarrassing moment for the franchise.

• Offseason outlook: The Panthers need to do everything they can to help Young succeed, starting by hiring an offensive-minded coach such as Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who grew up in North Carolina. The team will also need to splurge in free agency for quality offensive linemen and pass catchers. Thielen was outstanding, but the veteran shouldn’t be Young’s No. 1 target. After taking care of the offense, the Panthers need to re-sign Brown and Burns. It would be a bad look for the organization to let Burns walk for nothing after teams offered first-round picks to trade for him the past two years.