The NFL has reached the halfway point of the 2026 season. For some teams, like the Los Angeles Chargers, this one can't end soon enough.
A team that won 11 games in 2025 is 0-8. Winless heading into a Monday night game in Baltimore. The frosty Joe Buck-Troy Aikman relationship needs to provide more tension than the game between floundering squads.
But getting back the NFL season after nine weeks, a time to dish midterm grades.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals won two games at SoFi Stadium in the first half and another at Dallas. They have gone through Gardner Minshew II at QB, now injured, after sending Jacoby Brissett to third string before banishing him to Baltimore. They are in an impossible division and getting better is a challenge. Grade: C-
Atlanta Falcons
The Dirty Birds
sit last in the horrible NFC South. They have shown moments of improvement only to slip into the abyss. They have lost two in a row heading into the second half and are 1-4 at home. Michael Penix Jr. showed promise. Showing isnt't doing. Grade: D
Baltimore Ravens
A team that was once 4-1 is now 4-5. It has gone through Lamar Jackson, Jacoby Brissett, and Joe Fagnano at quarterback. Next man up appears to be Jacoby Brissett, acquired from Arizona. The Ravens have been outscored by 47 points over nine games. The defense, supposed to be a strength, is vulnerable under first-year coach Jesse Minter. Not a good look. Will Brissett save the season? Grade: D+
Buffalo Bills
We have seen this script many times. The Bills look like a powerhouse in the regular season. Will this year be different and could they earn their first ring? The first half has been promising, minus the loss to the Patriots. Strong offense, solid defense. Grade: A
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are fortunate to be in the NFC South. That way a 3-5 record keeps you in the playoff hunt in the NFC South. This was a team that made the playoffs as division champs last year and looked to be on the improve. That hasn't happened. A loss at home to the Broncos concluded the first half on a three-game losing streak. Grade: D-
Chicago Bears
If the Bears can win a game with more turnovers than Chicago's famed Mindy's Bakery, anything is possible. Look for Caleb Williams not to throw four picks in a game again, maybe in his career. The Jeffery Simmons acquisition looks genius. Grade: A-
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow has delivered and the defense has been acceptable. A team that usually struggles early is now 6-2 heading into the second half of the season. They also have won four out of five games on the road, which is a nice accomplishment. Could this be the year the Bengals are for real? Grade: A
Cleveland Browns
The Browns were 5-2. They are now 5-4 after losing to the Steelers, which is understandable, and the Saints, which isn't. That said the loss to New Orleans happened with Shedeur Sanders at QB for an injured Deshaun Watson. The fast start created excitement in Cleveland. Will it be doused with another losing stretch? Grade: B-
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are 4-5 after downing a weak Indianapolis Colts team ... in the final minute. This is the usual song and dance for Dallas. Great expectations, even more surprising losses. The offense is powerful. The defense can be had by the worst of teams. Hard to believe they are under .500 and chasing the Giants. Grade: C-
Denver Broncos
For a team that has heard all sorts of criticism for its offensive woes, the Broncos are 7-2 and on top of the AFC West. Sean Payton made the only move, taking back play-calling responsibilities. What might be most remarkable is the Broncos are where they are despite outscoring opponents by only 12 points. Grade: B
Detroit Lions
For all the problems and troubles that the Lions seem to bring upon themselves with poor defense, they are 6-2. It is hard to believe that this franchise often beset by losing has such a good record. Almost unnoticed. They even managed to win a game scoring less than 20 points by thwarting the inept Miami offense. Grade: B
Green Bay Packers
How would you like to be 6-3 and last in your division? After a slow start, that is where Green Bay is in the NFC North. The Packers have vastly improved and figure to have a say in what goes on in the NFC throughout the rest of the season and playoffs. Grade: B
Houston Texans
Big whoop, the Texans defeated the winless Chargers to improve to 3-5. Nothing to brag about for a team that was regarded to have one of -- if not the -- best defenses in the league. They would have to win out to match last year's record. As crazy as it sounds for a team with such a bad mark, it isn't impossible. The schedule is favorable. Grade: D
Indianapolis Colts
This team is so far from the one that had a great first half last season. It has traded top players and who knows what others can move before the trade deadline. They actually were ahead of the Cowboys before allowing a touchdown in the final minute to complete the first half a putrid 2-7. Shane Steichen has to be on the hot seat. Grade: F
Jacksonville Jaguars
Don't look now but the Jags are a powerhouse. They cleaned the Falcons' clock in Madrid to finish the first half at 6-2. Most impressive is this stat: Jacksonville has outscored opponents by 108 points. The defense is allowing all of 15 points per game and added more players the day before the trade deadline. Trevor Lawrence has blossomed. Grade: A
Kansas City Chiefs
They are back. A 6-2 first half. They caught a soft opponent in Week 9, toppling the Jets to end the two-game losing streak. The Chiefs' dynasty was dismissed after last season's poor result. Feels like that was premature. Grade: A-
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders came out of gate with three wins, lost four in a row, then beat the Jets. Back to reality against the 49ers. Interesting to see if Fernando Mendoza becomes the starter at some point. Guess he is learning watching Kirk Cousins beat teams he should and lose to those he should. Grade: C-
Los Angeles Chargers
Horrific. Embarrassing. An 0-8 record after winning 11 games in 2025. Will Jim Harbaugh feel any heat from what is looking like as stunningly bad result in 2026. One fun nugget: The last time the Chargers were 0-8 was the year 2000. One of the quarterback on that roster was ... Jim Harbaugh.
Los Angeles Rams
A 2-4 start has become a 5-4 record. Nothing awesome in the victories, doing enough to get by as they did against the Commanders in Week 9. Matthew Stafford is a year older and not looking like 2025 MVP season. They finally got Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett on the field against Washington. Guess it is a good thing to be where they are with the issues they have faced due to injuries. And now they lose Puka Nacua, likely to IR. Grade: C+
Miami Dolphins
They have been outscored by 74 points and only beat the New York. Jeff Hafley's team is trying and the defense is getting better. Malik Willis was a reach at quarterback and the offense is paying for it. Grade: D
Minnesota Vikings
The defense is an A+. The offense is a C-. That is how you wind up with this. Grade: B
New York Giants
The John Harbaugh hire has led to a 5-2-1 first half. They Giants have a huge lead in the NFC East because the other three teams are awful. They have done this without Jaxson Dart, going to Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy. They have also only outscored opponents by 10 points. If they win the division, this feels like the second team you would love to play in the playoffs. With the first being the NFC South champ. Grade: B
New York Jets
Not sure what Woody Johnson is waiting for because looking to another head coach. The Jets are 2-7 and only beat the Browns and Titans. They have lost to the Raiders, Dolphins, and have the Bills next. Oh, everyone should be excited for the Nov. 22 game at SoFi against the Chargers. Grade: F
Philadelphia Eagles
They are far more likely to finish last in the NFC East than any other team, which is stunning. The Eagles are 2-7 after starting 2-0. They have been ravaged by injury and opponent offenses. Philly has been outscored by 73 points. It is averaging about 16 points per game. Grade: F
Pittsburgh Steelers
A solid first half in the last season of Aaron Rodgers' career. The Steelers score enough points to win because their defense is always strong. Nice job by Mike McCarthy.
San Francisco 49ers
Nothing could be finer than to be a 49er in the first part of 2026. This is a team that is a powerhouse and manages to overcome injuries and anything else in its way. Kyle Shanahan has done a wonderful job. Grade: A+
Seattle Seahawks
The Super Bowl champs are 5-4 despite missing Sam Darnold for multiple games and because of his propensity for interceptions when he did play. They haven't come close to replacing or filling in for Kenneth Walker III. The defense remains powerful.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They are in the NFC South so that is a bonus for a team that struggled early and lost Baker Mayfield. It would be no shock if they win this division.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans are 1-7 and on their way to another high draft pick. They have been playing better. Moral victories count for nothing in the NFL and most sports. Grade: F
Washington Commanders
Sitting at 2-5-1, the Commanders are not as bad as their record. That said, they shouldn't be better than it anyway other than winning against the Giants rather than botching the finish in a tie. They just gave the Rams a tussle so maybe there is hope. Maybe. Grade: C-
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Midterm report card grades for all 32 NFL teams
