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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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January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (left) and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talk against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi
January 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (left) and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talk against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi /

The Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West, but might be seeing the Super Bowl Championship window closing. Seattle will be the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, but the Seahawks’ inability to get it done against the division rival Arizona Cardinals ended up costing them an important first-round bye.

They needed multiple home playoff games to be able to get to Super Bowl 51. The Seattle offense has disappeared for large stretches of 2016. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s offensive line has to be one of the worst in football. It mitigated success of the Seattle ground game and jeopardized quarterback Russell Wilson’s health earlier in the year.

The Seattle defense continues to be solid, despite losing free safety Earl Thomas late in the season. This is the side of the ball that will carry Seattle as far as the Seahawks want to go in the NFC Playoffs.

10-5-1 was not a bad year for the Seahawks by any means, but the NFC West was the worst division in football and Seattle didn’t get a first-round bye. Seattle can still win the Super Bowl, but it will be anything but easy. This was a good, but not great regular season for Seattle standards.

Grade: B-

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