NFL Midseason Grades Reveal Wide Performance Divide

At the 2026 NFL midpoint, teams’ fortunes range from San Francisco’s resilience to Philadelphia’s collapse. The Eagles have fallen to 2-7 after seven straight losses, with injuries and ineffective quarterback play contributing to a season-worst start since 1999; their running game has also struggled. The 3-6 Cardinals earned a C from USA TODAY, with three unexpected wins offering some encouragement, though rookie Carson Beck now leads an underwhelming offense amid injuries and uncertainty about the team’s direction. San Francisco remains a league standard-setter despite injuries: ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell picked Kyle Shanahan for Coach of the Year and Trent Williams for Protector of the Year, while a USA TODAY assessment praised the 49ers’ efficiency but flagged a recent lack of pass-rush production. USA TODAY also highlighted the Giants’ improvement under John Harbaugh and noted a widening gap between top contenders and struggling teams.