The following are my grades for the AFC with four weeks left in the 2001 season:
Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
The Elvis Grbac signing didn't advance the passing game even though he has had some positive moments. Too many turnovers. He has thrown 15 interceptions. Brian Billick has juggled three different running backs and salvaged a decent ground attack. Injuries have hit the defensive line hard during the season's third quarter, finishing end Michael McCrary's season and banging up tackle Sam Adams and end Rob Burnett. Despite being in a contract year, cornerback Duane Starks has struggled. All in all, the Ravens have to beat the Steelers on Sunday to equal last year's 9-4 start in a season in which everyone expected them to win the division.
Grade: C.
Buffalo Bills (2-10)
It's scary to think that Alex Van Pelt has done better running the West Coast offense than injured Rob Johnson. Worse, the Bills didn't answer the question that Johnson is the right quarterback for the franchise. In other words, because of the salary cap and questions about Johnson, it has been a wasted year. The Bills are five games worse than a year ago at 2-10. The defense underwent a dramatic transition and is surrendering 43 yards more per game. Some players are grumbling about the offensive scheme. It has been a tough year for first-year coach Gregg Williams.
Grade: D.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Quarterback Jon Kitna has hit the wall as a starter and the Bengals have fallen back into their losing ways. The Bengals haven't had a winning season since 1990, and little optimism can come from this year. They've lost eight of the past 10 games. Defensive end Justin Smith is a hot pass rusher with 7½ sacks. But the lack of a consistent passing offense makes it tough for halfback Corey Dillon to break out consistent 100-yard games. Still, Dillon's 925 yards are respectable. Left tackle Richmond Webb turned into a great signing. When will the Bengals find the right players for their secondary, though?
Grade: D.
Cleveland Browns (6-6)
It was a nice run for the Browns, but it's over. Butch Davis got the most out of this team, taking 5-17 talent over the first two years and getting a 6-6 start. But the Browns have lost most of their defensive line, and the offensive line isn't very good. The running offense remains one of the league's worst. Rookie halfback James Jackson has a puny 2.8-yards-per-carry average. The best thing for this franchise is that Davis established himself as an on-the-field disciplinarian who makes the Browns a tough opponent every Sunday. Tim Couch needs a better offensive line and a receiver on the other side of Kevin Johnson. Thank heavens Davis went against instincts and didn't trade Johnson in October.
Grade: B-plus.
Denver Broncos (7-6)
Owner Pat Bowlen spent more than $90 million for this team, so 7-6 is a disappointment. They are two games worse than a year ago. Sure, Ed McCaffrey's season-ending injury along with the recent ankle problems of Rod Smith brought the passing game to a halt. Quarterback Brian Griese needs to save face and lead the Broncos into the sixth playoff spot to get something positive out of this season. The more offensive line coach Alex Gibbs was away in Phoenix in semi-retirement, the worse the line played. Ray Rhodes has done a great job with the defense, coaching it into the top six of the league in yards allowed.
Grade: C-minus.
Indianapolis Colts (4-8)
Peyton Manning's problems are something that a better defense can resolve. Still, the five-game losing streak might prevent coach Jim Mora from having the chance to rebuild it. People aren't getting it when they dwell on Manning's 20 interceptions, six returned for touchdowns. Last year, the 49ers and Rams taught everyone that weekly shootouts bring out the worst in quarterbacks. Give up 30 points a game and watch the quarterback press. Cut that number into the 20s and suddenly the quarterback isn't as pressured. A top-10 draft choice on a defensive player and a few modest-priced signings by general manager Bill Polian can turn things around next year.
Grade: D.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)
Now that Notre Dame has a coach, Tom Coughlin isn't going anywhere. Owner Wayne Weaver is in his corner. But you might not recognize next year's team. Quarterback Mark Brunell has fought injuries and played great this season (61.9 percent completions, 14 touchdowns and only seven interceptions). He has done this with an average offense line and virtually no Fred Taylor. Overall, the Jaguars are a game worse than a year ago at 4-8, which isn't bad considering the injuries on defense. The linebacking corps has been ravaged, and the secondary has been fighting injuries all season.
Grade: C.
Kansas City Chiefs (3-9)
Dick Vermeil didn't come out of retirement to make the Chiefs a game worse than a year ago at 4-8. Still, he has two more years on his contract and he plans to work to fix the problems. Where do the disappointments start? Vermeil doesn't have the receivers to fit his system. He overestimated the big play-making ability of the defensive line even though a No. 16 ranking isn't horrible. At the cost of a first-round choice, Trent Green has thrown 18 interceptions and is the second-lowest rated quarterback in the conference. The good news is that the Chiefs finally have a running back. Priest Holmes leads the league with 1,146 yards.
Grade: C-minus.
Miami Dolphins (9-3)
The expectations of the Dolphins are high. They were 9-3 after 12 games last year. They are 9-3 this season. Coach Dave Wannstedt has -- despite the lack of a running game and more turnovers by Jay Fiedler -- put the Dolphins in position to win the AFC East. Lamar Smith may get his 1,000 yards, but his 2.9-yard average needs to improve. A great rookie class has come on of late. Receiver Chris Chambers is challenging for Rookie of the Year, and halfback Travis Minor is a great outside option. The loss of Daryl Gardener after back surgery hurt the run defense and took away a potential Pro Bowler.
Grade: B-plus.
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THINGS TO WATCH
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 1. The Steelers should beat out the Ravens for the league's No. 1 defense as long as they can hold the Ravens under 300 yards Sunday night. After the Ravens game, the Steelers face Detroit's Mike McMahon, Jon Kitna or Akili Smith of the Bengals and Cleveland's Tim Couch. Figuring those quarterbacks will struggle to get more than 200 yards, it's going to be hard for the Steelers to lose their 29.5 yards edge over the Ravens, who are third in defense with 274.8 yards a game allowed.
 2. Dolphins halfback Lamar Smith should be able to break out of his season-long running slump during the final four weeks. The Dolphins' final three games are against the Patriots, Falcons and Bills, three run defenses ranked in the 20s overall. Smith is currently eighth in the AFC with 751 yards on 255 carries, a 2.9-yard average.
 3. Quarterback Vinny Testaverde may take the Jets to the playoffs, but he's fighting for his future. The coaching staff needs to allow him to open up a passing offense that is gaining only 152 yards a game. With Testaverde facing a potential $9 million base salary next year, the Jets could let Chad Pennington hand off and throw short passes and use the cash elsewhere.
 4. Rookie safety Derrick Gibson will be given more playing time down the stretch to help the Raiders' struggling run defense. What the Raiders can't do is lose Grady Jackson, who has been playing with a sore shoulder. With Darrell Russell expected to be suspended, the Raiders need Jackson's bulk and productivity at defensive tackle.
 5. Terrell Davis' legs and durability will determine if the Broncos will make the playoffs. Davis is running strong, but his recent problems haven't allowed him to play more than two consecutive games. Four more strong efforts might be enough to get the Broncos in the sixth playoff spot.
— John Clayton
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New England Patriots (8-5)
Bill Belichick seems to do his best with less. Without Drew Bledsoe and Terry Glenn, Belichick turned around a franchise without playoff hopes and will probably end up with the AFC's fifth seed in the postseason. Tom Brady is 8-3 as a starter. His signing of 16 journeymen such as Antowain Smith and others have given the Patriots the depth they lacked in a 3-9 start last year. He has mixed the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses even though back and leg problems have limited his best pass rusher, Willie McGinest. Troy Brown might be the best receiver not to make the Pro Bowl. He has 85 catches for 1,033 yards but will fall short in balloting against such big names as Rod Smith, Jimmy Smith, Marvin Harrison and Tim Brown.
Grade: A.
New York Jets (7-5)
Coach Herman Edwards is trying to use his positive approach to fight the Jets' history of December fades. Last year, Al Groh's 9-4 start faded with three losses. Losses to the Patriots and Steelers have fans wondering, but surely the Jets can't lose to the Bengals and Bills in the next three weeks. Vinny Testaverde and Wayne Chrebet might not like their roles in Paul Hackett's short passing offense, but it has cut down the turnovers and kept them in games. Mixing in some bliltzes has allowed Edwards to stop some of the bleeding in the run defense. With few penalties and a great turnover margin (plus-20), the Jets have the look of a well-coached team. Curtis Martin is having an MVP year with 1,140 yards rushing.
Grade: B-plus.
Oakland Raiders (9-3)
What has happened to the run defense? The safeties may be taking bad angles in letting backs gain big yards, but backs aren't supposed to be getting into the secondary. They are. Coach Jon Gruden needs to tighten up the run defense, which is now the fourth worst in football. Quarterback Rich Gannon is the leading candidate for MVP with a 101.5 quarterback rating and 22 touchdown passes compared to only five interceptions. Jerry Rice, who has 59 catches for 796 yards, has turned into the best receiver signing of any team in the offseason. Toughness on the offensive line has allowed them to survive nagging injuries.
Grade: B.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2)
Bill Cowher has completely turned the franchise around. Four of the Steelers' starting offensive linemen are candidates for the Pro Bowl, headed by center Jeff Hartings. Each of their four linebackers has enough big plays to be Pro Bowl worthy. Kordell Stewart is throwing for 200-yard-plus days under the schemes of offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. Can you say home-field advantage in the playoffs?
Grade: A.
San Diego Chargers (5-8)
People figured that the 5-2 start was a byproduct of an easy schedule, but no one figured that the NFL's most improved roster would go on a six-game losing streak. The Chargers can't win the close ones, and that will probably cost Mike Riley his job. They are 1-5 in games decided by five points or less. Bad field-goal kicking by Wade Richey didn't help, but general manager John Butler fixed that by signing veteran Steve Christie. Quarterback Doug Flutie has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns passes (12), and with only three games left Butler might call for Drew Brees to get playing time.
Grade: D.
Seattle Seahawks (6-6)
Matt Hasselbeck is having growing pains as a first-year starter, but he's fighting through the rough spots to maybe get the Seahawks a wild-card bid. The mystery is what has happened to the defense. After getting into the top six with the additions of John Randle, Chad Eaton, Levon Kirkland and Marcus Robertson, the Seahawks have fallen to 18th, 16th against the run. Shaun Alexander averaged more than 100 yards per game as a starter, but he has been slowed of late. Expect Ricky Watters to get the chance to finish his Seahawks career as the starter. The Seahawks still have a chance for the playoffs and are two games better than a year ago. Still, you expected a little more.
Grade: C.
Tennessee Titans (5-7)
The four-game dropoff from last year's 9-3 start is one of the worst in the conference, so it's hard to blame it just on the injuries. The secondary has been battered. Eddie George has limped through his most painful and disappointing season. Even the rock-steady offensive line has been hit with the injury bug. This was supposed to be a Super Bowl year. The good news is that coach Jeff Fisher opened up the passing offense and let Steve McNair throw more downfield. That's been a great success in the past six weeks.
Grade D.
John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
