Final Exam: Grading Every AFC Team Post Super Bowl

February 28, 2024

How does each NFL team look entering the 2024 offseason? Which grade does each NFL team deserve? Andersen Pickard analyzes all 16 organizations in the AFC following Super Bowl LVIII.

If this NFL season taught us anything, it was to expect the unexpected. Various storylines caught fans by surprise while simultaneously morphing the power dynamic throughout the league. With the 2023 NFL season officially over, it's time to both reflect on teams' performances and also analyze their current position ahead of a key offseason.

The best way to analyze every team's current position is by grading the entire league on a scale from A to F, with plus (+) and minus (-) marks as necessary. These grades consider how a team performed in 2023 and how well prepared they are to be competitive in 2024.

How does each team look entering the 2024 offseason? Which grade does each team deserve? Let's dive into all 16 AFC organizations.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: B+

One ugly kick cost the Bills a trip to the AFC Championship. While Buffalo's season had its ups and downs, there is no denying this team has real talent and remains a threat in the NFL. Any team that can consistently go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Chiefs, Bengals, Cowboys, and Eagles deserves credit.

With that said, this is a big offseason for the Bills. Gabe Davis is departing, Stefon Diggs' weird year will continue to be a topic of conversation, and the defense could see some changes after falling from second in DVOA in 2022 to 12th in 2023.

Miami Dolphins: B-

Just how much does winning matter if you can't beat good teams? The Dolphins went just 1-5 against playoff teams in 2023, leaving a real stain on what had the potential to be a very impressive season.

The offensive core of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle is here to stay, and it looks like Miami has a potential Pro Bowl running back in De'Von Achane if he can stay healthy. There's less clarity on defense with Xavien Howard released and Anthony Weaver entering his first year as coordinator.

Dolphins offense vs playoff teams this season:

- 15.1 points per game
- 316.8 total yards per game
- 212.1 passing yards per game
- 104.7 rushing yards per game
- 1.7 turnovers per game

A top team priority this offseason should be figuring out why this happened.

— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) January 18, 2024

New England Patriots: D-

You know it's an ugly year when one of the greatest head coaches of all time loses his job. Regardless of whether you agree with the Patriots' decision to fire Bill Belichick, there's no denying that change was needed.

Of course, it's going to take more than a head-coaching change to get this team back on track. It's almost certain that the Patriots will have a new quarterback in 2024, whether that's via free agency or the coveted No. 3 overall pick. The offensive line could use some help, and adding a prominent wide receiver is imperative. On a positive note, the defense figures to remain among the league's best in 2024.

New York Jets: C-

2023 was a year to forget for the Jets, but we can cut them a little slack due to Aaron Rodgers suffering a season-ending injury in his first appearance as a Jet. Finding a new backup quarterback and No. 2 wide receiver are among the tasks on New York's to-do list this offseason.

If they can make the necessary moves on offense, the Jets could be a real threat in 2024. After all, the defense continues to look quite scary with Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, Quincy Williams, and C.J. Mosley anchoring the unit.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: A-

Outside of falling apart in the AFC Championship, the Baltimore Ravens looked like one of the NFL's best and most intimidating teams throughout the 2023 season. Their defining win over the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Day showed that this Baltimore team can face (and beat) just about anyone.

Solidifying the backfield remains an interesting discussion for the Ravens, who frequently utilize Lamar Jackson's rushing ability but could become even more unstoppable with a true RB1. On defense, the Ravens look like they have a top-five unit but would benefit from a few key re-signings. Patrick Queen, Jadeveon Clowney, and Geno Stone are among their prominent defensive free agents.

Cincinnati Bengals: B

Franchise tagging Tee Higgins was a good call, but the Bengals' offseason to-do list extends beyond the former second-round pick. D.J. Reader and Jonah Williams are both projected to fetch new deals worth north of $10 million per year, and there's a case to be made for going all-in on defensive additions to combat teams like the Ravens and Chiefs.

Of course, all eyes will also be on Joe Burrow (wrist) as he spends yet another offseason recovering from a significant injury. Having him healthy will be imperative for the Bengals if they have any shot at reclaiming the AFC North crown in 2024.

Cleveland Browns: B-

The Browns managed to make the playoffs in 2023, and even if a good portion of the credit belongs to a singular player (Joe Flacco), it's still a testament to head coach Kevin Stefanski, the defense, and the front office. After all, it seemed like the Browns were headed for a lost season as soon as Deshaun Watson (shoulder) and Nick Chubb (knee) were shut down.

The Browns don't have many big-name impending free agents, which bodes well for their chance of staying competitive in 2024. With that said, last season revealed the need for landing a competent backup quarterback, which will surely be an area of focus for Cleveland as Flacco enters free agency.

Ladies & Gentleman we have a CLEAN SWEEP at tonight’s #NFLHonors! #Browns 🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/EVLEe6MAB8

— Pumpkinhead 🎃 (@PumpkinNation) February 9, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers: D-

Outside of the ever-constant dominance of defensive superstar T.J. Watt, the Steelers didn't have an awful lot to celebrate in 2023. Mike Tomlin kept his team teetering around mediocrity, but this current roster can't compete for a playoff spot, especially when they have six games against AFC North foes.

Quarterback might be the Steelers' biggest weakness. This puts them in a difficult position given that Pickett has spent just two seasons in the NFL and it'll be tough to justify spending plenty of picks or money to replace him already.

AFC South

Houston Texans: B+

The Texans were so close to fetching an A- here, especially since these grades consider a team's short- and long-term outlooks. With that said, the Texans still have some weaknesses on both sides of the ball, and their Divisional Round loss to the Ravens wasn't pretty.

An underrated storyline out of Houston was the Texans' ability to keep offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson. In a league where coaches switch teams and earn promotions left and right, providing C.J. Stroud with some consistency in the coaching department is huge. This team is trending up and could be just a few pieces away from the NFL's "elite" tier.

Mood learning Bobby Slowik & Jerrod Johnson are staying with CJ Stroud 🔥

Three rookies at their respective roles who made Houston’s offense look night and day from last year.

Should be only up from here 📈pic.twitter.com/A9NiphKnYY

— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) January 31, 2024

Indianapolis Colts: B-

This grade is going to surprise some people, especially since the Colts missed the playoffs. However, Indianapolis' defense put together an underrated season and the offense continued to perform well even after losing rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. Plus, Shane Steichen has quietly emerged as a potential star in coaching circles and isn't earning nearly enough credit.

Before the Colts can become a real playoff contender, two things must happen. First, Richardson must learn how to protect his body. Being mobile and making plays with his legs helped him get drafted fourth overall, but that very same mentality could just as easily cost him several seasons if he can't take a hit safely. Second, the Colts must sign Michael Pittman Jr. long-term. He had a career year in 2023 and keeping him at the offense's core for years to come is imperative.

Jacksonville Jaguars: C

The Jaguars finished with the same record in 2023 as 2022, which is inexcusable considering some of the moves they made last offseason, as well as the improvement that Trevor Lawrence was expected to show. This is a team that shouldn't have missed the playoffs, yet throughout the 2023 campaign, they never looked like a major threat.

Consistency will be imperative for the Jaguars in 2024. They need to get stronger in the trenches and also solidify their pass-catching unit, whether that means re-signing Calvin Ridley or making an external move. Standout defender Josh Allen should get the franchise tag while offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland remains a priority re-signing.

Tennessee Titans: D

The jury is still out on Will Levis, but it seems as though the Titans are trending in the wrong direction. Losing Derrick Henry strips Tennessee of the heart and soul of its offense, and the defense leaves plenty to be desired.

As Tennessee prepares for a potential rebuild, questions must be asked about the Titans' coaching staff. Even if firing Mike Vrabel was the right decision, is Tennessee really getting an upgrade in ex-Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan?

AFC West

Denver Broncos: C-

The Broncos are such a difficult team to grade. In the end, they flashed real potential at times. Do they deserve credit for playing competitive football against teams like the Chiefs? Or did the Sean Payton-Russell Wilson tandem fail to meet expectations?

This C- grade feels fair given that the jury is still out on the current Broncos core. The defense is trending up once again, but can we trust this offense? Wilson's run in Denver may be over, a Jerry Jeudy trade feels like a foregone conclusion, and the play of Courtland Sutton and Javonte Williams was good but not great.

Kansas City Chiefs: A+

You can debate this all you want, but the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. It's hard to earn anything less than an A+ after quite literally being crowned the world's best football team.

Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed, both impending free agents, represent the biggest question marks for Kansas City heading into the offseason. Nevertheless, the Chiefs are an early favorite to win Super Bowl LIX, which would give them a three-peat.

Las Vegas Raiders: C-

Similar to the Broncos, it was harder than expected to settle on a grade for the Raiders. Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs had very strong 2023 seasons. Maxx Crosby is insane. And almost the entire locker room would run through a wall for Antonio Pierce.

However, having a strong quarterback is imperative, and with the Raiders expected to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, Vegas has a major void under center. Even if Aidan O'Connell earns the starting job in 2024, it's hard to imagine him bringing the Raiders to the playoffs. Signing or drafting a prominent quarterback feels like the necessary move, but that's far from a guarantee at this point.

Jimmy Garoppolo will not appeal his two-game suspension, and he now will miss the first two games of the 2024 season wherever he is playing, but it no longer is expected to be in Las Vegas with the Raiders, per sources. https://t.co/xMXTqYwYGa

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 16, 2024

Los Angeles Chargers: C

The Chargers would fall into the "D" tier if not for Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh. Austin Ekeler's career appears to be declining faster than expected, and outside of Derwin James and Khalil Mack, this defense leaves a whole lot to be desired.

With that said, Herbert is a great quarterback who can maximize the talent of his pass-catchers as long as he stays healthy. Meanwhile, Harbaugh is a proven winner and always felt like the perfect hire for this Chargers team.

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