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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; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) warms up on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) warms up on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

This was a so-so season for the New Orleans Saints. They hovered around .500 for most of the season. The defense looked better under first-year defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Quarterback Drew Brees found a few more stars on the offensive side of the ball that might set up an outside chance at a second Lombardi Trophy before New Orleans’ superstar signal caller hangs up the spikes for good.

There were three big problems with the Saints in 2016. 1.) Sean Payton may be on the way out as head coach. He really hasn’t been the same since his Bountygate year-long suspension. 2.) The Saints could never put together a lengthy winning streak to get above .500. 3.) New Orleans missed the NFC playoffs for the third straight year.

The Saints are at a crossroad as an organization. Do they keep the band together for another year or two or do they embark on what should be a massive rebuilding project? Currently constructed, the Saints have the least likeliest chance of winning the NFC South in the coming years. It might be time for the Saints to honestly assess their situation.

This was the type of year that we kind of expected to see the Saints have. A better start to the season might have helped their playoff chances, but this looked like a team that was only middle of the pack in the NFC at the very best this season. Despite having an explosive offense, this Saints season was largely bland.

Grade: C

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