JOE’s one-line NFL season review

What a season it has been.

The 2017/18 NFL campaign reaches its conclusion this Sunday as the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots battle it out at Super Bowl 52. It has been a mixed season for the NFL's franchises, varying from the laughably poor to the surprisingly brilliant. On that note, here is our breakdown of each team's season, nicely packaged into a neat, one-line summary. Have we got it right like Brady and the Pats, or does our review more closely resemble the 0-16 Browns? Let us know your thoughts!

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (13 – 3) B- Talked the talk but when it came down to it, the Steelers couldn’t walk the walk. Baltimore Ravens (9 – 7) C A self-destruction of epic proportions. Cincinnati Bengals (7 – 9) D The only moment of note from this season was the Bengals' Andy Dalton ending the Bills 17-year play-off drought. Cleveland Browns (0 – 16) F   If it’s always sunny in Philadelphia then my goodness it is always raining in Cleveland. Things can only get better, right?

AFC East

New England Patriots (13 – 3) A+ Featured more hiccups than usual, but the double-B dynasty steam rolls its way to another Super Bowl. Buffalo Bills (9 – 7) C+ In the playoffs by a whisker, and out just as fast with a whimper. Miami Dolphins (6 – 10) D- Defeat both last season’s Super Bowl finalists, lose 10 games…some things just can’t be explained, including the 2017 Miami Dolphins. New York Jets (5 – 11) C- Nobody expected much from the Jets this year, but with a promising young team things are looking up on the green side of NYC.

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (10 – 6) A The people’s champion, the defiant underdog, a very young team looks here to stay. Tennessee Titans (9 – 7) B- Solid season, a play-off spot, but like many before them felled by the New England sword. Indianapolis Colts (4 – 12) E No Luck? Nothing to see here. Houston Texans (4 – 12) E Another season of injuries overshadowed a potentially good team.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (10 – 6) B Kansas City - proving that it IS possible to throw away a year’s work in 15 minutes. Los Angeles Chargers (9 – 7) C Philip Rivers continues to drag this franchise kicking and screaming towards just above average. Oakland Raiders (6 – 10) E A team tipped to go all the way somehow managing to go home in December. Denver Broncos (5 – 11) E You’re only as good as your quarterback, and Denver’s quarterbacks did not get it done this year.

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (13 – 3) A- From the ‘Minnesota Miracle’ one week, to a bottle job Spurs would be proud of the next, many television sets were destroyed in Minneapolis. Oh, what might have been. Detroit Lions (9 – 7) B- Matt Stafford tried, but just failed in his quest to get his team to their regular spot in the wild card weekend. Green Bay Packers (7 – 9) C- Has there ever been a better example of a one man team in the history of professional sports? Chicago Bears (5 – 11) D A win against the Steelers was as good as it got, and that was in September.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (13 – 3) A+ No Wentz? No problem, the Eagles are going to the Promised Land! Dallas Cowboys (9 – 7) C No Zeke, no party… underwhelming and underachieving. Washington Redskins (7 – 9) D A wholeheartedly forgettable season, expect better! New York Giants (3 – 13) F Injuries and sackings made it a terrible season for Big Blue, which will get dramatically worse if bitter rivals Philadelphia are victorious in Super Bowl 52.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (11 – 5) A Amazing effort by a young team with the legend Drew Brees at the helm, but the stuff of nightmares ended what was until that point an excellent season. Carolina Panthers (11 – 5) B+ Carolina entered the post-season unfancied, and that tag was justified with an exit at the first hurdle. Atlanta Falcons (10 – 6) B A stunning win in LA followed by a miserable defeat in Philly summed up the most hot and cold team in the NFL. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5 – 11) F The NFL’s dark horse turned out to be more of a 3-legged donkey which collapsed to a miserable season.

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams (11 – 5) A- The unfancied Rams put on a show in the regular season, but a lack of experience proved to be their downfall…a young team should challenge again next year. Seattle Seahawks (9 – 7) B- Pete Carrol and Russell Wilson just couldn’t get it going, thus continuing their spell as Seattle’s second favourite duo, behind Frasier and Niles Crane. Arizona Cardinals (8 – 8) C Slow starters meant no chance of the post season, no chance of success ending with no quarterback and no coach. Oh no! San Francisco 49ers (6 – 10) 1^st half F / 2^nd half B+ A tale of two halves. Jimmy G rolled into town and turned the 49ers from a laughing stock into a really fun team with realistic ambitions of a play-off spot next year.

Catch all the action from Super Bowl 52 including the NBC pre-game show on NFL Game Pass, available for just £14.99. You can also tune in live on BBC One and Sky Sports Main Event from 11.30pm Sunday 4th February.