NET: Start avg (Off − Def)
What Start avg (Off − Def) is
The offense's average starting field position minus the opponents' — both in yards from the goal line being attacked. Lower is better: it means this team started closer to scoring than its opponents did. The field-position battle in one number.
Lower is better. It is a rate, so a team's number does not grow with games played. Source: P + N.
Through Week 8 of 2026, the Eagles lead at -54.40; the league average is 0.00.
League snapshot — 2026
All 32 teams, lower is better.
| Rank | Team | Value | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHI | -54.40 | 8 |
| 2 | CIN | -46.27 | 7 |
| 3 | TEN | -28.24 | 8 |
| 4 | LV | -24.98 | 8 |
| 5 | GB | -24.30 | 8 |
| 6 | NYJ | -22.30 | 8 |
| 7 | BAL | -14.63 | 8 |
| 8 | DEN | -13.91 | 8 |
| 9 | KC | -13.22 | 7 |
| 10 | ARI | -10.26 | 8 |
| 11 | MIA | -9.78 | 7 |
| 12 | HOU | -7.56 | 7 |
| 13 | DET | -6.42 | 7 |
| 14 | CLE | -5.55 | 8 |
| 15 | NO | -5.23 | 7 |
| 16 | CAR | -4.93 | 7 |
| 17 | NE | -0.40 | 8 |
| 18 | DAL | 1.75 | 8 |
| 19 | NYG | 3.64 | 7 |
| 20 | WAS | 5.76 | 7 |
| 21 | PIT | 5.88 | 8 |
| 22 | SF | 11.56 | 7 |
| 23 | JAX | 13.72 | 7 |
| 24 | IND | 15.46 | 8 |
| 25 | TB | 15.76 | 8 |
| 26 | BUF | 19.19 | 7 |
| 27 | LAC | 25.30 | 7 |
| 28 | MIN | 27.51 | 7 |
| 29 | CHI | 31.59 | 7 |
| 30 | LAR | 32.50 | 8 |
| 31 | SEA | 32.53 | 7 |
| 32 | ATL | 50.23 | 8 |
At a glance — 2026
Where the 32 teams sit on this stat this season.
All teams — 2026
| Rank | Team | Value | Δ vs avg | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PHI | -54.40 | -54.40 | 100% |
| 2 | CIN | -46.27 | -46.27 | 96.8% |
| 3 | TEN | -28.24 | -28.24 | 93.5% |
| 4 | LV | -24.98 | -24.98 | 90.3% |
| 5 | GB | -24.30 | -24.30 | 87.1% |
| 6 | NYJ | -22.30 | -22.30 | 83.9% |
| 7 | BAL | -14.63 | -14.63 | 80.6% |
| 8 | DEN | -13.91 | -13.91 | 77.4% |
| 9 | KC | -13.22 | -13.22 | 74.2% |
| 10 | ARI | -10.26 | -10.26 | 71% |
| 11 | MIA | -9.78 | -9.78 | 67.7% |
| 12 | HOU | -7.56 | -7.56 | 64.5% |
| 13 | DET | -6.42 | -6.42 | 61.3% |
| 14 | CLE | -5.55 | -5.55 | 58.1% |
| 15 | NO | -5.23 | -5.23 | 54.8% |
| 16 | CAR | -4.93 | -4.93 | 51.6% |
| 17 | NE | -0.40 | -0.40 | 48.4% |
| 18 | DAL | 1.75 | 1.75 | 45.2% |
| 19 | NYG | 3.64 | 3.64 | 41.9% |
| 20 | WAS | 5.76 | 5.76 | 38.7% |
| 21 | PIT | 5.88 | 5.88 | 35.5% |
| 22 | SF | 11.56 | 11.56 | 32.3% |
| 23 | JAX | 13.72 | 13.72 | 29% |
| 24 | IND | 15.46 | 15.46 | 25.8% |
| 25 | TB | 15.76 | 15.76 | 22.6% |
| 26 | BUF | 19.19 | 19.19 | 19.4% |
| 27 | LAC | 25.30 | 25.30 | 16.1% |
| 28 | MIN | 27.51 | 27.51 | 12.9% |
| 29 | CHI | 31.59 | 31.59 | 9.7% |
| 30 | LAR | 32.50 | 32.50 | 6.5% |
| 31 | SEA | 32.53 | 32.53 | 3.2% |
| 32 | ATL | 50.23 | 50.23 | 0% |
Does Start avg (Off − Def) matter against the spread?
Run as a one-stat algorithm against the closing line, this stat went 858–720–37 ATS (54.4%) across 2020–2025, #85 of 296 ranked.
Its best season was 2025 (162–107, 60.2%); its worst 2023 (123–135, 47.7%).
For picks, this is a strong signal. One stat is not a recipe — the algorithms combine many.
| Season | Games | ATS record | ATS % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 256 | 136–118–2 | 53.5% |
| 2021 | 272 | 147–123–2 | 54.4% |
| 2022 | 271 | 149–115–7 | 56.4% |
| 2023 | 272 | 123–135–14 | 47.7% |
| 2024 | 272 | 141–122–9 | 53.6% |
| 2025 | 272 | 162–107–3 | 60.2% |
Start avg (Off − Def) in 2026 vs 2025
Eagles lead at -54.40 — they ranked #25 last year. Falcons are last at 50.23 — #13 last year.
The league average is 0.00, the same as last year.
Biggest riser: Eagles, #25 → #1. Biggest faller: Bears, #9 → #29.
Spread between first and last: 104.63; 21 teams are within 22.96 of the average.
Year-over-year — 2026 vs 2025
Biggest movers from last season.
YoY by team — 2026 vs 2025
| Rank | Team | 2026 | 2025 | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAS | 5.76 | -94.81 | +100.57 |
| 2 | NYJ | -22.30 | -105.29 | +82.99 |
| 3 | ARI | -10.26 | -88.75 | +78.49 |
| 4 | ATL | 50.23 | -6.04 | +56.27 |
| 5 | CHI | 31.59 | -22.31 | +53.90 |
| 6 | PIT | 5.88 | -45.82 | +51.70 |
| 7 | NYG | 3.64 | -43.73 | +47.37 |
| 8 | TEN | -28.24 | -74.49 | +46.25 |
| 9 | CAR | -4.93 | -40.04 | +35.11 |
| 10 | TB | 15.76 | -18.95 | +34.71 |
| 11 | MIA | -9.78 | -33.78 | +24.00 |
| 12 | JAX | 13.72 | -2.78 | +16.50 |
| 13 | DAL | 1.75 | -0.43 | +2.18 |
| 14 | MIN | 27.51 | 28.08 | −0.57 |
| 15 | NO | -5.23 | -0.90 | −4.33 |
| 16 | DET | -6.42 | -1.68 | −4.74 |
| 17 | CLE | -5.55 | 0.61 | −6.16 |
| 18 | LAC | 25.30 | 34.44 | −9.14 |
| 19 | LV | -24.98 | -15.40 | −9.58 |
| 20 | BAL | -14.63 | 3.86 | −18.49 |
| 21 | CIN | -46.27 | -22.02 | −24.25 |
| 22 | KC | -13.22 | 18.40 | −31.62 |
| 23 | HOU | -7.56 | 25.57 | −33.13 |
| 24 | LAR | 32.50 | 69.40 | −36.90 |
| 25 | IND | 15.46 | 55.21 | −39.75 |
| 26 | NE | -0.40 | 40.78 | −41.18 |
| 27 | BUF | 19.19 | 61.20 | −42.01 |
| 28 | DEN | -13.91 | 28.96 | −42.87 |
| 29 | SF | 11.56 | 56.36 | −44.80 |
| 30 | GB | -24.30 | 43.30 | −67.60 |
| 31 | SEA | 32.53 | 112.10 | −79.57 |
| 32 | PHI | -54.40 | 38.95 | −93.35 |
Multi-year context
7-year window (2020–2026)
Multi-year averages
| Rank | Team | Avg | Slope/yr | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NYJ | -44.95 | +0.29 | -56.31 | -67.06 | 3.99 | -54.27 | -13.41 | -105.29 | -22.30 |
| 2 | JAX | -36.01 | +12.78 | -64.19 | -78.29 | -35.66 | -22.18 | -62.70 | -2.78 | 13.72 |
| 3 | NYG | -34.41 | −0.01 | -44.28 | -2.55 | -6.58 | -79.25 | -68.12 | -43.73 | 3.64 |
| 4 | TEN | -31.02 | −8.04 | -12.34 | 14.79 | -27.88 | -62.36 | -26.63 | -74.49 | -28.24 |
| 5 | HOU | -27.19 | +11.39 | -34.93 | -103.74 | -41.50 | 35.15 | -63.35 | 25.57 | -7.56 |
| 6 | NO | -24.60 | −2.19 | 1.70 | -22.96 | -20.38 | -19.30 | -105.13 | -0.90 | -5.23 |
| 7 | DET | -21.58 | +18.37 | -80.55 | -99.89 | -17.84 | -22.44 | 77.79 | -1.68 | -6.42 |
| 8 | CHI | -20.75 | +6.77 | -23.30 | -35.74 | -60.64 | 27.87 | -62.70 | -22.31 | 31.59 |
| 9 | LV | -18.20 | −1.58 | -6.12 | -32.75 | 26.01 | -77.81 | 3.68 | -15.40 | -24.98 |
| 10 | CAR | -14.17 | −9.28 | -5.87 | 37.10 | 13.50 | -3.99 | -94.98 | -40.04 | -4.93 |
| 11 | CIN | -13.94 | −6.53 | -35.09 | 37.06 | 16.02 | -32.07 | -15.18 | -22.02 | -46.27 |
| 12 | DEN | -13.12 | +2.50 | -12.08 | -14.37 | -4.78 | -59.69 | -15.96 | 28.96 | -13.91 |
| 13 | WAS | -12.30 | −4.39 | -2.95 | -19.20 | 25.96 | -29.10 | 28.25 | -94.81 | 5.76 |
| 14 | NE | -6.61 | +7.27 | -81.05 | 51.39 | -26.72 | 13.49 | -43.77 | 40.78 | -0.40 |
| 15 | ATL | -6.18 | +9.30 | 30.28 | -81.00 | -36.49 | -14.44 | 14.20 | -6.04 | 50.23 |
| 16 | CLE | -2.13 | −1.41 | 19.53 | -24.66 | -30.24 | 70.55 | -45.13 | 0.61 | -5.55 |
| 17 | PIT | -0.92 | −4.89 | 8.39 | 15.24 | 2.71 | 11.83 | -4.68 | -45.82 | 5.88 |
| 18 | SEA | 1.53 | +19.87 | -44.16 | -49.25 | 2.52 | -49.10 | 6.10 | 112.10 | 32.53 |
| 19 | IND | 4.72 | +7.81 | 0.62 | -9.29 | -25.17 | -23.69 | 19.93 | 55.21 | 15.46 |
| 20 | ARI | 9.16 | −15.13 | 34.88 | 69.92 | -1.93 | 33.16 | 27.12 | -88.75 | -10.26 |
| 21 | MIA | 10.72 | −3.58 | 22.13 | -18.33 | 27.13 | 34.02 | 53.64 | -33.78 | -9.78 |
| 22 | GB | 13.86 | −6.72 | 72.77 | 27.40 | -36.77 | -19.98 | 34.58 | 43.30 | -24.30 |
| 23 | MIN | 18.73 | +4.31 | 40.49 | -4.55 | -43.90 | 32.87 | 50.59 | 28.08 | 27.51 |
| 24 | DAL | 20.36 | −6.29 | 32.93 | 2.04 | 60.95 | 61.88 | -16.60 | -0.43 | 1.75 |
| 25 | PHI | 23.77 | −2.60 | -30.29 | 23.07 | 103.94 | 13.40 | 71.74 | 38.95 | -54.40 |
| 26 | TB | 25.43 | −4.49 | 33.91 | 49.34 | 24.19 | -15.81 | 89.60 | -18.95 | 15.76 |
| 27 | LAC | 26.29 | +1.53 | 50.47 | 26.72 | -50.55 | 45.22 | 52.43 | 34.44 | 25.30 |
| 28 | KC | 26.69 | −5.77 | 29.94 | 33.83 | 26.61 | 65.85 | 25.41 | 18.40 | -13.22 |
| 29 | BAL | 31.76 | −5.03 | 25.35 | 48.68 | 22.94 | 44.59 | 91.54 | 3.86 | -14.63 |
| 30 | SF | 33.13 | −1.07 | 9.85 | 79.09 | 22.23 | 20.35 | 32.46 | 56.36 | 11.56 |
| 31 | LAR | 36.39 | −5.53 | 63.34 | 70.87 | 17.68 | 42.72 | -41.77 | 69.40 | 32.50 |
| 32 | BUF | 45.52 | −7.66 | 56.93 | 77.09 | 70.65 | 32.53 | 1.05 | 61.20 | 19.19 |
Multi-year heatmap
32 teams across 7 seasons. Cells colored by quintile within each season; click a column header to jump to that year.
| Team | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHI | -30.29 | 23.07 | 103.94 | 13.40 | 71.74 | 38.95 | -54.40 |
| CIN | -35.09 | 37.06 | 16.02 | -32.07 | -15.18 | -22.02 | -46.27 |
| TEN | -12.34 | 14.79 | -27.88 | -62.36 | -26.63 | -74.49 | -28.24 |
| LV | -6.12 | -32.75 | 26.01 | -77.81 | 3.68 | -15.40 | -24.98 |
| GB | 72.77 | 27.40 | -36.77 | -19.98 | 34.58 | 43.30 | -24.30 |
| NYJ | -56.31 | -67.06 | 3.99 | -54.27 | -13.41 | -105.29 | -22.30 |
| BAL | 25.35 | 48.68 | 22.94 | 44.59 | 91.54 | 3.86 | -14.63 |
| DEN | -12.08 | -14.37 | -4.78 | -59.69 | -15.96 | 28.96 | -13.91 |
| KC | 29.94 | 33.83 | 26.61 | 65.85 | 25.41 | 18.40 | -13.22 |
| ARI | 34.88 | 69.92 | -1.93 | 33.16 | 27.12 | -88.75 | -10.26 |
| MIA | 22.13 | -18.33 | 27.13 | 34.02 | 53.64 | -33.78 | -9.78 |
| HOU | -34.93 | -103.74 | -41.50 | 35.15 | -63.35 | 25.57 | -7.56 |
| DET | -80.55 | -99.89 | -17.84 | -22.44 | 77.79 | -1.68 | -6.42 |
| CLE | 19.53 | -24.66 | -30.24 | 70.55 | -45.13 | 0.61 | -5.55 |
| NO | 1.70 | -22.96 | -20.38 | -19.30 | -105.13 | -0.90 | -5.23 |
| CAR | -5.87 | 37.10 | 13.50 | -3.99 | -94.98 | -40.04 | -4.93 |
| NE | -81.05 | 51.39 | -26.72 | 13.49 | -43.77 | 40.78 | -0.40 |
| DAL | 32.93 | 2.04 | 60.95 | 61.88 | -16.60 | -0.43 | 1.75 |
| NYG | -44.28 | -2.55 | -6.58 | -79.25 | -68.12 | -43.73 | 3.64 |
| WAS | -2.95 | -19.20 | 25.96 | -29.10 | 28.25 | -94.81 | 5.76 |
| PIT | 8.39 | 15.24 | 2.71 | 11.83 | -4.68 | -45.82 | 5.88 |
| SF | 9.85 | 79.09 | 22.23 | 20.35 | 32.46 | 56.36 | 11.56 |
| JAX | -64.19 | -78.29 | -35.66 | -22.18 | -62.70 | -2.78 | 13.72 |
| IND | 0.62 | -9.29 | -25.17 | -23.69 | 19.93 | 55.21 | 15.46 |
| TB | 33.91 | 49.34 | 24.19 | -15.81 | 89.60 | -18.95 | 15.76 |
| BUF | 56.93 | 77.09 | 70.65 | 32.53 | 1.05 | 61.20 | 19.19 |
| LAC | 50.47 | 26.72 | -50.55 | 45.22 | 52.43 | 34.44 | 25.30 |
| MIN | 40.49 | -4.55 | -43.90 | 32.87 | 50.59 | 28.08 | 27.51 |
| CHI | -23.30 | -35.74 | -60.64 | 27.87 | -62.70 | -22.31 | 31.59 |
| LAR | 63.34 | 70.87 | 17.68 | 42.72 | -41.77 | 69.40 | 32.50 |
| SEA | -44.16 | -49.25 | 2.52 | -49.10 | 6.10 | 112.10 | 32.53 |
| ATL | 30.28 | -81.00 | -36.49 | -14.44 | 14.20 | -6.04 | 50.23 |
Start avg (Off − Def) since 2018
Leaders since 2018: 2018 Dolphins (-88.76), 2019 Dolphins (-80.77), 2020 Patriots (-81.05), 2021 Texans (-103.74), 2022 Bears (-60.64), 2023 Giants (-79.25), 2024 Saints (-105.13), 2025 Jets (-105.29), 2026 Eagles (-54.40).
Dolphins have led this stat 2 of 9 seasons.
The best season on record is Jets 2025 at -105.29; the worst Seahawks 2025 at 112.10.
Distribution
How the 32 teams cluster for 2026.
About this stat
- Stat ID
- net_start_avg
- Side
- net
- Family
- NET (Off − Def)
- Data source
- P + N
- Polarity
- lower is better
- Display grain
- rate
- Algorithm eligibility
- Algorithm-eligible: this stat can be picked in the Algorithm Builder.