NFL 2016: Regular season grades for every team

By John Buhler | Jan 3, 2017

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; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

For the second time in three seasons, the Detroit Lions made the NFC Playoffs as a wild card team. Detroit only went 9-7 and blew its best opportunity to win its division since the 1993 campaign by falling at home to the rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 17.

Getting the No. 6 seed is an impressive accomplishment for the 2016 Lions. However, Detroit is not likely to win its NFC Wild Card game against the No. 3 Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on Saturday night.

The best parts of the 2016 NFL regular season for the Lions were the team’s uncanny ability to win close games late. Eight of the Lions’ nine wins were come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had his best season as a professional, playing an unencumbered brand of football until hurting his finger on his throwing hand late in the year.

Head coach Jim Caldwell has two great coordinators on his staff in offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Together, they give the Lions stability on the coaching staff to be successful for years to come. Overall, this team overachieved by making the NFC playoffs, but disappointed down the stretch in a division that should have been the Lions’ for the taking.

Grade: B

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