The NFL has e sentially reached Kent Bazemore Jersey its midway point of the season with Week 9 approaching, as teams are starting to form their identity as a contender or pretender. What makes the league harder to figure out this year than any other year is that there are fewer Super Bowl contenders and more teams on the verge of mediocrity.The league has 15 teams in the three-to-four-win range and just five teams with six-plus wins -- three of which are in the NFC East. The New York Giants are the No. 6 seed in the conference with a 6-2 record, showcasing how good the division has been heading into November.While the NFC East has been a surprise, the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks are shocking division leaders. The Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been ma sive disappointments, but other teams have failed to live up to expectations as well.So how did each team fare after the midterm exam? Depends on the expectation, but performance was a huge factor in the final mark. Record: 3-5Grade: D+The Cardinals are coming off a playoff appearance, yet are one of the most dysfunctional teams in the league. Arizona sits in last place in a winnable NFC West, plagued by slow starts and an inconsistent offense. The defense is also inconsistent, giving up an insanely amount of points and yards over the last two weeks after appearing to turn things around.Inconsistent is the word in Arizona, but getting back will keep the Cardinals in the race. The next three games -- all against the NFC West -- will define the season.Record:4-4Grade:AThe Falcons were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league. Instead they are one of the biggest overachievers, residing in first place in a bad NFC South through eight games. Atlanta can run the ball with any team in the league and has a top-10 scoring offense as a result. Atlanta has the worst pa s defense in the league and has serious i sues stopping teams on third down, but the Falcons being .500 at this point in the year was unexpected. Huge credit to Arthur Smith and this coaching staff. The Falcons could win the division.Record:5-3Grade:BThe Ravens are a very good football team that has three lo ses -- all after blowing double-digit leads. hasn't played well over the last four weeks, yet the Ravens are 3-1 Clyde Drexler Jersey during that stretch. Take away the two weeks against the Dolphins and Patriots, and the Ravens are allowing just 320 yards per game -- that's a top-10 defense (that just added ).Jackson will get going again and the Ravens will eventually get back for the stretch run. They still need an upgrade at wide receiver, but maybe will be that player who can make the offense more explosive. Even with the fourth-quarter collapses, the Ravens lead the AFC North. Baltimore will only get better.Record:6-1Grade:A+The Bills are the favorite to come out of the AFC for a reason. They're top three in scoring offense, scoring defense, yards per game and yards allowed. They have an explosive pa s offense and a defense that can stop the run and the pa s.Their one weakne s is at running back, yet Buffalo hasn't had a game under 100 yards rushing this year (125-plus yards in three of the last four games). The Bills even eliminated their losing streak in one-score games, winning two straight against the Ravens and Chiefs. Buffalo is the best team in the AFC -- and living up to the high expectations. Pau Gasol Jersey Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Record:2-6Grade:FThe head coach was fired after five games and the quarterback was benched. A poor offense is last in the in average time of po se sion and plays per po se sion. Carolina has an interim coach and is using the quarterback who was No. 3 on the depth chart entering the season.The Panthers entered the season with playoff aspirations. They've been playing better since Matt Rhule was fired, but this team is evaluating for 2023 and beyond.Record:3-5Grade:C-The beginning of the Bears' season didn't make any sense. was barely throwing the ball and Chicago's offense appeared to take a page out of the football playbook from the 1930s. Since the "Thursday Night Football" lo s in Week 6 to the Commanders, Justin Fields has looked significantly better throwing the football and looks like a more composed quarterback in and out of the pocket. This is a rebuilding team, so not much was expected. The Bears traded Roquan Smith and on a defense that didn't fit their skill sets. Their run Portland Trail Blazers T-Shirts defense is abysmal, making up for a pa s defense that has over exceeded expectations.Chicago still has one of the best rushing attacks in the game, which won't slow down as it gets the most out of Fields and his ability to stretch the offense. This season is all about the development of Fields, so this grade can improve.Record:4-4Grade:C+Kudos to the Bengals for rebounding from an 0-2 start to get back in the playoff picture of a crowded AFC. How long can Cincinnati last without is the big questions, as the Portland Trail Blazers Jeresy Bengals were putrid minus their star receivers in Monday night's lo s to the Browns. The Bengals had a season-low 229 yards in their first game without Chase after averaging 366.1 with him in the lineup. The Bengals have one of the worst run games in the NFL and the defense isn't impactful enough to make up for their deficiencies. Still, they can't be discounted to make another Super Bowl run. Chase will return at some point.Record:3-5Grade:CIf the Browns were .500 after eight weeks without , this grade would be higher. Four straight lo ses certainly killed the hot start in Cleveland, especially with a defense that is supposed to be a top-10 unit -- yet ranked 26th in points allowed and 12th in yards allowed. The run defense has also not been up to par.The offense is plagued with costly turnovers, even though the Browns are sixth in points and yards per game. The run game -- behind incredible season -- is excellent and will keep the Browns in the mix all season long. The Browns have to split with the Dolphins and Bills after the bye, or the 2022 season is a wash.Recor