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NFL 2016: Regular season grades for every team

By John Buhler

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) walks off the field after a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) walks off the field after a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak on the sidelines in the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak on the sidelines in the first half against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

After winning Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers in Santa Clara, the Denver Broncos became the most recent team to miss the NFL playoffs the year immediately after winning it all. Outside of Denver, the Broncos’ 2016 regression didn’t come as much of a surprise.

In short, Denver won all the close games it was in last season. This season saw them drop a few of those either-or games. After starting the year out 4-0, the Broncos played sub-.500 ball the rest of the way. What was the reason for this?

Well, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch at quarterback didn’t help. The running game evaporated once running back C.J. Anderson got hurt, not to mention the atrocious offensive line play with the exception of center Matt Paradis. He was great.

Once Denver started to play worthy adversaries like Atlanta, Kansas City, New England, and Oakland, the Broncos revealed their true identity as a middle of the pack team in the AFC that was never really playoff caliber. Denver has another year or two to rebuild after winning Super Bowl 50. With John Elway in the front office, Denver should be in good shape to land a strong replacement for Gary Kubiak at head coach, who is stepping down for medical reasons.

Grade: C

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