The Denver Broncos hosted the Carolina Panthers to kick off the NFL regular season on Sept. 8.

Does it seem that long ago? We are in Week 9 of a 17-week journey toward the postseason. Some teams have revealed telltale tendencies while others have been a mix of good and bad.

Tom Brady has returned from his suspension with a vengeance, and thanks to the early respectable work of his understudies, the New England Patriots have the best record in the league at 7-1 – garnering them the only A+ grade in this midseason evaluation. Associated Press/Winslow Townson

What midseason grade did your favorite team receive? A team-by-team look at the best and the brightest the league has to offer, along with some class clowns:

• Arizona: C-. The window is closing, and the Cardinals are not taking advantage.

• Atlanta: B+. Matt Ryan is in the MVP conversation, and the Falcons lead the NFC South.

• Baltimore: C. Former offensive coordinator Marc Trestman is gone, but the struggle to score points remains.

• Buffalo: C. The Bills are a big tease. They started 0-2, won four in a row, and now have lost two straight.

• Carolina: F. In last place in a mediocre division, neither the Panthers nor Cam Newton has been the same since the Super Bowl.

• Chicago: D+. The Bears’ shocking victory against Minnesota does not mask their overall deficiencies.

• Cincinnati: C. They beat the bad teams and lose to the good ones. Not a formula for long-term success.

• Cleveland: F. 0-8. Any questions?

• Dallas: A. Led by rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott and an exceptional offensive line, the Cowboys have not lost since opening night.

• Denver: A. Peyton who? With Von Miller and his running mates thwarting opponents’ offenses, the Big D is now in Colorado.

• Detroit: B-. With Matthew Stafford playing high-quality football, all of the Lions’ games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

• Green Bay: B. The Packers have issues, but the suddenly vulnerable Vikings provide an opening.

• Houston: B. It is hard to argue with first place, but Brock Osweiler can’t be trusted at this point, and the Texans’ three losses are each by 18 points or more.

• Indianapolis: C. It’s Andrew Luck and a weak supporting cast.

• Jacksonville: D. The Jaguars must be following the Orlando Magic’s master plan for rebuilding.

• Kansas City: B+. With upcoming games against the Jags, at the Panthers and against the Bucs, the Chiefs could be 8-2 before they head to Denver on Nov. 27.

• Los Angeles: C. Jared Goff is missing in inaction.

• Miami: B-. With a favorable second-half schedule, the Dolphins are forging a new identity behind Jay Ajayi.

• Minnesota: B+. They survived the losses of Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson early on, but a two-game losing streak – both clunkers – led to offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s exodus.

• New England: A+. Still the NFL’s best team, and doesn’t Tom Brady look well rested?

• New Orleans: C. The Saints have won three of four after an 0-3 start, but the defense remains worrisome.

• New York Giants: B. The offense has not gotten into sync under first-time head coach Ben McAdoo, the team’s former offensive coordinator.

• New York Jets: C-. It is hard to put faith in a team with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.

• Oakland: A. The schedule gets much tougher in the second half, but with a gambling coach (Jack Del Rio) and an exciting young roster, the Raiders are fun to watch.

• Philadelphia: B+. There have been some rough patches of late, but with rookie QB Carson Wentz playing well, the Eagles are better than we thought they were.

• Pittsburgh: B. As talented as any team, but can the Steelers win a road game against the Patriots in January?

• San Diego: C. Where would the Chargers be if they did not point the gun at their foot so much?

• San Francisco: F. After a surprising opening-night victory, no team has looked worse than the 49ers.

• Seattle: B+. Russell Wilson needs to get healthy if the Seahawks are to soar.

• Tampa Bay: C-. Until the Buccaneers prove they can win consistently at home, they won’t be relevant.

• Tennessee: B. With a rugged identity behind a sturdy offensive line and the league’s second-leading rusher (DeMarco Murray), the Titans are no pushovers anymore. They could win the weak AFC South.

• Washington: B-. That overtime tie against the Bengals in London hurt. So does playing in the NFL’s deepest division.

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