At the midpoint of the 2022 NFL season, you could reasonably find novels written about the performances of all 32 teams. Strengths and weaknesses have become apparent, and future outlooks are a bit clearer.

The challenge, then, is considering all of those factors and encapsulating them in a single, overarching word.

Friends, we're here for you.

Along with that one descriptive word for each NFL franchise, we've included a brief summary of the season to date and/or what's on the horizon. The list is organized by division.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Rolling

Most efficient offense in the league? Check. Stingiest defense in the league? Check. Buffalo's lone letdown was a loss to the Miami Dolphins, but the 6-1 Bills otherwise have road victories over the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. They'll be cruising to the postseason behind MVP front-runner Josh Allen.

New York Jets: Debatable

Improvement is obvious, especially on defense. After managing four wins in 2021, they've already notched five. The question is whether the Zach Wilson-led offense is really all that threatening to high-level competition, which New York hasn't encountered since his return. The win over Miami was valuable, but the Dolphins played a third-string QB. New York's next five matchups include two clashes with Buffalo and one against the Minnesota Vikings. We'll learn plenty soon.

Miami Dolphins: Committed

Just as New York is trying to figure out Wilson, the Fins are learning if Tua Tagovailoa is the long-term QB. But they're certainly not holding anything back in pursuit of that answer. Miami has continually made splashy additions, beginning with Tyreek Hill and Terron Armstead in the offseason along with landing Bradley Chubb before the trade deadline. The philosophy may backfire, but Miami is 5-3 with a legitimate eye on the playoffs.

New England Patriots: Teetering

If your Sam Adams glass is half-full, the 4-4 Patriots have two opportunities to topple the Bills and rise in the AFC East. New England also hosts the Jets and Dolphins in the second half. Conversely, the Patriots have an offense trying to rebound from an odd Mac Jones benching and the fourth-toughest remaining strength of schedule. There's a clear path to both 7-5 and 5-7, and those records would tell very different stories.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: Suspicious

The major appeal for Baltimore is that, as of Week 9, the Ravens have exactly zero games remaining against teams with winning records. They're already 5-3 atop the AFC North. The concerning part is the Ravens have squandered second-half leads in all three losses and pulled out ugly victories over division foes Cincinnati and Cleveland. Results matter, but the process has regularly looked shaky.

Cincinnati Bengals: Unsatisfying

After winning the AFC last year, Cincinnati wisely made upgrading the offensive line its top priority in the offseason. However, the well-paid O-line ranks 31st in sacks allowed, and the Bengals are 30th in yards per carry. Cincinnati has a manageable 4-4 record, but hopes of a Super Bowl return hinge on Joe Burrow becoming an escape artist again—and, this time, without star receiver Ja'Marr Chase for several weeks.

Cleveland Browns: Treading

No matter your opinion on Deshaun Watson, the reality is he's expected to start immediately upon his return from suspension. As a result, the Browns are trying to stay in the playoff chase before he arrives in Week 13. They desperately needed the recent victory over Cincinnati to have a shot, entering an idle weekend at 3-5 in advance of four road trips during the following five games.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Recalibrating

That feels like a Mike Tomlin buzzword, doesn't it? Between ex-starter Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett, the Steelers have a league-low 6.0 yards per pass attempt and 15.0 points per game. The running game is 26th in the per-carry category. Pittsburgh knows it's not a playoff team, which is part of the reason Chase Claypool became expendable. There must be more signs of progress to increase hope, but it'll be Tomlin's first losing season in 16 years at the helm of the Steelers. Panic meter: Low.

AFC South

Tennessee Titans: Timely

To win a Super Bowl, you probably need to muster more than 18.9 points per game. But you certainly can make the playoffs with that number, especially in a mediocre AFC South. Such is life for the Titans, who have posted a negative scoring differential yet are 5-2. Direct that praise to the NFL's best third-down defense and an offense that, while unimpressive overall, has the second-best red-zone touchdown rate. Tennessee shows up at the right moments.

Indianapolis Colts: Scrambling

The franchise hoped Matt Ryan could spark a championship run. However, it only took seven weeks for the Colts to justifiably bench their big-name quarterback in favor of unproven backup Sam Ehlinger. The once-dominant offensive line has become a sieve. Head coach Frank Reich knows his proverbial seat is scorching hot. Not coincidentally, offensive coordinator Marcus Brady—who doesn't even call plays—has been fired. If the Colts don't find solutions in 2022, a new regime will probably be hired to discover them.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Exasperating

Amid a 2-1 start, the Jaguars looked like a possible eight-win riser in Doug Pederson's first year. Fast-forward six weeks, and Jacksonville is easily one of the NFL's most frustrating teams. The team has squandered four fourth-quarter leads, blown a 14-point edge and lost to the bottom-feeding Houston Texans. Close is good, and consistent competitiveness is nice. Wins are better.

Houston Texans: Expected

If the Texans didn't have the lowest expectations of any team in 2022, they definitely weren't far ahead. The franchise has entered a full teardown, and the results are reflecting it. Houston dropped to 1-6-1 with Thursday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, failing to score more than 20 points for the seventh time. There's little doubt the Texans will be squarely in the running for the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs: Positioned

Injuries aren't helping a defense that's consistently been the Chiefs' weaker unit. It hasn't mattered much during the regular season, though, because Patrick Mahomes and the offense are doing that "nah-nah-nah can't stop us" thing again. Kansas City tops the league in third-down conversion percentage, red-zone touchdown rate and points per game. Throw in a favorable slate to come, and the 5-2 Chiefs are likely bound for the playoffs.

Los Angeles Chargers: Persevering

All season, the injury report has been filled with key contributors. Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, J.C. Jackson, Rashawn Slater, Dustin Hopkins and the list goes on—including Justin Herbert despite never missing a game. Nevertheless, the Chargers have fought their way to 4-3 and remain soundly in the playoff hunt. Surviving the next five weeks of four road trips and a home clash with Kansas City will be imperative to staying there, though.

Denver Broncos: Underwhelming

Even with standout pass-rusher Bradley Chubb gone, we can talk about a powerful Denver defense. The unit, which is surrendering the NFL's second-fewest points per game, has earned a mountain of praise. However, the offense is objectively awful. Denver is 31st or 32nd in all of the stat categories—you know, the important ones—where Kansas City ranks first. It's not a coincidence Denver is 3-5.

Las Vegas Raiders: Disappointing

Trading for Davante Adams was supposed to elevate the scoring attack into elite territory. Instead, the Raiders have a statistically solid offense that is maddeningly hot and cold. Veteran quarterback Derek Carr must shoulder a heavy portion of that blame and provide the correction. Las Vegas isn't cooked, but a 2-5 record needs to reach 5-6 at worst with Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Denver and the Seattle Seahawks up next.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles: Historic

Never before had the Eagles opened a season 8-0, but they hit the mark in Thursday's win at Houston. The historic start doesn't guarantee playoff success, sure, but it's a neat accomplishment for a surging roster. Jalen Hurts has reached a higher level of efficiency as a passer in no small part because of A.J. Brown's arrival on the outside. Add in a top-five defense, and Philly is fully deserving of its torrid start.

Dallas Cowboys: Confident

First, the defense is fantastic and has allowed just 16.6 points per game. Cooper Rush did an admirable job filling in for Dak Prescott, overseeing a 4-1 stretch. Prescott has since guided two comfortable wins against lower competition, setting up 6-2 Dallas for what should be an exciting NFC East race. Of note: Dallas hosts Philly in Week 16.

New York Giants: Stingy

Though the Giants give up a ton of scoring opportunities, they prevent touchdowns. Only four defenses have ceded more red-zone drives, yet the 6-2 Giants hold the second-best red-zone TD rate allowed (42.9 percent). That's an impressive, necessary way to atone for a run-first offense that is doing just enough to sneak out wins. New York desperately needs to defeat Houston and Detroit in its next two games, because the rest of the schedule is nightmarish.

Washington Commanders: Complicated

The franchise is stuck in an unenviable position. There might not be a more disliked owner than Dan Snyder, who could be selling the team entirely or merely a stake of it. Ron Rivera hasn't proved he's the coach of the future, nor did quarterback Carson Wentz show he's a long-term QB before a finger injury sidelined him. On the positive side, the defense is pretty good! Washington, which is 4-4, faces the toughest remaining slate in the league.

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings: Rising

Considering the struggles among the rest of the division, Minnesota has a legitimate chance to sprint away in the NFC North. That potential should be balanced with the reality of the Vikings needing four second-half comebacks during a five-game winning streak. Minnesota is a high-quality team, but the Vikings have not been dominant. Bridging that gap is essential for postseason success.

Green Bay Packers: Lost

Aaron Rodgers might be regressing quickly. The receiving corps is mediocre, also dealing with a barrage of injuries like the offensive line. The defense is performing well below its talent level. Also, the 3-5 Packers are in self-inflicted salary-cap hell. While the 2022 season might not mark the Packers' demise, this is a miserable position for Green Bay as it approaches an uncertain future.

Chicago Bears: Calculated

You mean to tell me scheming ways to let Justin Fields showcase his mobility is a good idea? I, for one, am shocked that a dynamic dual-threat quarterback runs well. Heavy sarcasm aside, the 3-5 Bears are finally catering to his strengths while continuing a sound approach to their rebuild. Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith were key defenders, but Quinn wasn't a long-term fit at $17 million annually and Smith probably wouldn't have signed an extension. Both trades made sense.

Detroit Lions: Recognizable

And that, of course, is not a good thing. Detroit yet again has a terrible defense, one that's surrendered an NFL-worst 32.1 points per game. The offense has quickly faded following its torrid start, too. It'll sting to replace tight end T.J. Hockenson, although he was never going to be a make-or-break piece to the team's future success. Optimism is fine, but Detroit is facing a bunch of obstacles, as usual.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Erratic

There are many possibilities here. Confusing, frustrating and resilient are logical options, too. Atlanta has a never-say-die mentality, mounting a failed-but-furious comeback against the Rams, beating the San Francisco 49ers and surviving a wild game against the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta also has a dreadful passing game and a problematic defense. And also the Falcons might be a playoff team because the NFC South is awful? Strange year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Unsatisfying

For the third straight year, Tampa boasts one of the NFL's better defenses statistically. The unit is sixth in points allowed per game and seventh in yards allowed per play. However, the eye test hasn't looked so great lately. More concerningly, the offense—whew—it's not good. The receiving corps has dealt with a ton of injuries, and Tom Brady appears uncomfortable behind a choppy offensive line. Tampa has much to prove in order to become a serious contender.

New Orleans Saints: Hopeful

The opening half of 2022 was a disappointment until the very last moment. After going 2-5, the Saints put together their most complete game in a 24-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The defense finally looked like its former self in that shutout win. New Orleans has the toughest remaining strength of schedule in the NFC South, but all four divisional games are winnable.

Carolina Panthers: Lively

Are the Panthers good? Nope! But they're a roller-coaster loss to Atlanta removed from being comically tied for the division lead. Since the Panthers fired Matt Rhule, interim coach Steve Wilks has injected a bit of energy to what was an uninspiring team. Young players like Terrace Marshall Jr. are getting more snaps, and optimism will likely build steadily as Carolina enters a new era.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks: Entertaining

I'll be the first to acknowledge that low expectations for Seattle were incorrect. That doesn't mean the Seahawks are strong Super Bowl contenders, but, darn it, they're fun. Geno Smith has enjoyed a resurgence in his first season as a full-time starter since 2014, guiding the 5-3 Seahawks to the NFL's fourth-most points per game. While the defense struggled early, the unit has fared better lately. Seattle is very much a threat to make an unexpected playoff trip.

San Francisco 49ers: Sparked

Why not take a home-run swing, right? San Francisco needed to jumpstart its offense, and adding Christian McCaffrey provided a lightning bolt. He accounted for 183 yards and three touchdowns in the recent win against the Rams. Six of the team's remaining nine games are at home, so the 4-4 Niners are in a favorable spot within the division.

Los Angeles Rams: Searching

For answers, specifically. After showcasing a dynamic offense in their Super Bowl run last season, the 3-4 Rams have stunk on that side of the ball. Ben Baldwin of The Athletic noted the Rams are the least-efficient offense on early downs in the entire NFL. Not great, Bob! They're at risk of exiting the playoff race without a dramatic turnaround.

Arizona Cardinals: Exasperating

If you find a Cardinals fan feeling good about the team's direction, please point them my way. The offense is frustrating. The defense is inconsistent. Kliff Kingsbury just signed a five-year extension this offseason, yet the 2022 team is demonstrably worse than in 2021. The Cardinals shouldn't be this bad. Nevertheless, they're 3-5 and floundering.