The NFL season is back, and with it comes new teammates, new opponents, and new beginnings. In this article, we will take a look at each of the teams in the NFC West and how they grade out for the first two weekends of the NFL season. So, without further ado, here is the AFC East Report Card.
For each team, we will grade each aspect of the team from a player standpoint. Each group will be graded from A+ to a flat-out F.
New York Jets (0-2, 0-1 AFC East)
Graded by Zachary Murphy
QB Grade:C+
Sam Darnold has looked merely okay these past two weeks. Although many of his underwhelming performance can be blamed on the coaching staff, he still hasn’t looked crisp in the pocket. Darnold has thrown for just over 400 yds and 2 TDs in two games. He averages around ten yards a pass. Not the season start we expected from a three-year veteran.
RB Grade:D
A backfield headed by Le’Veon Bell and Frank Gore should be a force to be reckoned with. Instead, it is barely an afterthought in the minds of defensive coordinators. Bell injured himself in the Week 1 matchup against the Bills, leaving Gore to start against the 49ers. Rookie La’Mical Perine debuted in week 2, contributing only 17 yds out of the Jets overall 104 rushing yds.
WR/TEs Grade:D
Week 1 only saw one New York Jets’ receiver gain over 50 yds. Week 2 showed some improvement with two passing that mark. Overall, the Jets’ receiving corps, and tight ends, have looked out of sync with their quarterback. The inability to get open and dropped passes continue to ground the Jets.
OL Grade:C+
In the offseason, the Jets’ front office decided to protect their QB by beefing up their offensive line. This has proven to be successful through the first two weeks of the season. They have given up a few sacks and have provided Darnold with more than enough time in the pocket. Their only drawback is that they can’t seem to provide adequate run blocking for their backfield. This could be attributed to back to back dominant defenses in both the Bills and 49ers. Hopefully, we will see an improvement going forward.
DL Grade:F
New York’s defensive line can be described as lackluster at best. If you need a visual example, reference Raheem Mostert’s 55-yard run on a 3rd and 31 play. The Jets’ line allowed the Bills and 49ers offenses to do as they pleased and provided little to no defense.
EDGE Grade:C+
The edge has done only slightly better than their interior counterparts for New York. They have recorded multiple sacks in both games and provided pressure on both opposing QBs. Despite these pressures, they allowed Josh Allen to rush for over 50 yds and pass for over 300 yds. Garoppolo was held more in check until he had to leave the game with an injury. This improvement should continue into the season.
LB Grades:D
The linebacking core for New York has been mediocre at best in both coverage and run support. Two San Francisco running backs gained over 70 yards, and each averaged for over ten yards per carry, and as previously mentioned, they were no help in stopping Josh Allen on the ground. When defending the pass, they allowed Bills WR Stefon Diggs to run quick slants all game and had trouble wrapping up after the catch. Week two showed similar issues in the coverage. CJ Mosely has sat out the season, but more is expected out of this veteran corps.
Secondary Grade:D
The stats show an improvement over the first two weeks for the Jets’ secondary, but the film does not. Losing S Jamal Adams in an offseason trade has affected the Jets’ coverage. There seems to be no clear leader that can organize the defensive backfield into something resembling success. This will be a long season for the safeties and cornerbacks in New York if they keep allowing a “let it fly” zone.
Buffalo Bills (2-0, 2-0 AFC East)
Graded by Zakk Kleis
QB Grade:A
Josh Allen is trending up and taking the Bills with him. Red Hot start to the season, throwing for 700+ yards and 6 TDs in 2 weeks. Allen’s accuracy looks sharp and precise. The addition of Stefon Diggs appears to be paying off early.
RB Grade:B
It is not a game-changing group, but they are doing their job in the passing game and the run to keep defenses honest. This group averages 100 yards a game currently but still doesn’t seem to have a set number one guy, as Zach Moss and Devin Singletary seem to get the same amount of touches up to this point.
WR/TEs Grade:A-
Lead by newcomer Stefon Diggs this group is pretty solid across the board. They have 3-4 guys who catch at least 5 passes a game. Diggs got his first TD as a member of the Bills in Miami while also stacking up 153 yards. Dangerous group to watch moving forward in the AFC
OL Grade:B+
Having only allowed two sacks in 2 weeks, this group is sitting well. Having a mobile QB makes things easy for this group. Allen having a quick release this year, is making it easy to keep him upright.
DL Grade:B+
This group is off to a nice start having six sacks in 2 weeks. Against the rushing attack, they are stout and able to force the pash rush in their favor when need be.
EDGE Grade:A-
While they don’t have the sack numbers to wow everyone, Ed Oliver can make plays and disrupt the line in crucial situations. During a key goal-line play against Miami, he was able to overpower and shed off rookie LT Austin Jackson and stop a TD run.
LB Grades:B+
This group is down two key contributors but has stepped up and made plays in week 2 to stop Miami from coming back and getting the win. They stopped the run game reasonably well the first two weeks also.
Secondary Grade:B-
Being manned by Tre’ Davious White, this group isn’t playing all that great, allowing a 100-yard receiver week 2 to Miami. Mike Gesicki was giving the secondary problems all over the field on Sunday. White pulled Gesicki late and gave up a TD late in the game.
Miami Dolphins (0-2, 0-2 AFC East)
Graded by Zakk Kleis
QB Grade:C
Starting QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled opening week 1 in New England, throwing three costly interceptions. He bounced back in week 2 with a strong performance resulting in a two-touchdown game week 2.
Week 1: 20-30 191 yds, 3 INTs
Week 2: 31-47 328 yds, 2 TDs
RBs Grade:C-
This group was thought to be a 1-2 punch with Jordan Howard and Matt Brieda but not so fast. Insert a young Myles Gaskin who, at times, showed spurts of good downhill running but has yet to rush for over 50 yards in a game.
WR/TEs Grade:C+
After a rough week one, this group took a step in the right direction and had a combination of guys grabbing receptions and moving the chains in key situations week 2 in Buffalo. Mike Gesicki had a career day in a loss but will be tough to stop moving forward for opposing defenses.
Week 2: 8 rec. 130 yds 1 TD
OL Grade:C+
They have allowed four sacks in 2 weeks with two rookies in the starting lineup as a group. It’s going to be a growing season for this young line. However, early on, it appears rookie LT Austin Jackson might just be the piece Miami wants moving forward. Week 1, he was able to hold his own, but in week 2, he found out what it’s like to play in the NFL. There were moments Jackson found himself overpowered and outmanned.
DL Grade:D+
As two weeks pass, this team shows it still has issues stopping the run. Unable to contain the likes of Cam Newton and Josh Allen has this group looking bad early. 2nd year DT Christian Wilkins looks to be taking the next step in year 2, making plays and disrupting the lines at times.
EDGE Grade:D-
After two weeks, this group looks terrible. With only .5 sack between Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah, look for this group to improve their numbers moving forward.
LBs Grade:B-
Surprisingly enough, this group seems to be the best group on the Dolphins currently. Lead by 3rd year LB Jerome Baker. He has 22 tackles and one sack through 2 weeks.
Secondary Grade:C-
Quite possibly the strongest group of the team. They have yet to find their stride, allowing 400+ yards passing to Buffalo in week 2. Rookie Noah Igbinoghene got a challenging early task of Stefon Diggs, where he had some learning moments. Byron Jones left the first series vs. Buffalo with a groin injury.
New England Patriots (1-1, 1-0 AFC East)
Graded by Evan Hamatake
QB Grade:A
After initially grading Cam Newton as a B after week one, I bumped my grade up to an A after his performance in week two against the Seattle Seahawks. Cam Newton currently has four rushing touchdowns on the season, which is now tied for the league lead. He is throwing the ball productively in what seems to be a strong comeback campaign for the former MVP.
See also: How Will Cam Newton Fit In New England
RB Grade:B
Due to Cam Newton doing most of the work on the ground, this group has been underwhelming. No running back has eclipsed 100 yards in either of the first two weeks of the season, and key player James White was out during week two after the sudden loss of his father. Look for this group to get more involved in the passing game moving forward.
WR/TE Grade:B+
This grade is reflective of the groups most recent outing against the Seattle Seahawks. In which Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry both had solid games against a formidable past defense. In terms of tight ends, there hasn’t been a player who has stepped up and filled that role for the team. As Cam continues to throw the ball well, look for Edelman and Company to make significant strides.
OL Grade:B+
The offensive line has performed relatively well the season through the first two weeks. Where we usually see Tom Brady getting hit multiple times per game, they have found ways to give Newton plenty of time to throw the ball and provide solid run blocking. Having David Andrews back in the lineup makes a significant improvement upon the production of the offensive line.
DL Grade:B-
There hasn’t been anything too flashy about the defensive line, but they have done well to defend the run. Although they are not primarily pass rushers, this group has only gotten to the quarterback a total of three times through two weeks.
EDGE Grade:C-
The teams’ three total sacks have all come from interior defensive lineman, which means that the outside linebackers and rushing defensive ends. Just aren’t getting to the quarterback. They had difficulty in week two when trying to stop a mobile Russell Wilson, which inevitably cost them the game. This group will have to step up moving forward if they want to make a playoff push.
LB Grade:C+
The loss of Dont’a Hightower and the departure of both Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy are very evident so far. Ju’Whaun Bentley is doing his best to lead this group of guys, but the same fire and intensity have not been present throughout these past two weeks. If someone does not step up and take control of this defense, the entire front seven will continue to be a problem spot for this defense.
DB Grade:B
With the exception of one DK Metcalf, this group has done exceptionally well defending the past. While they are not perfect, they are the one bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming defense. Devin McCourty and Stephon Gilmore will have to elevate their play going forward as the teams will only get better, and they will have more film to study.
