Offensive: Drive Averages · Start avg
Cleveland Browns — Start avg, 2026
- Value270.32
- Rank#24 of 32
- League average258.20
- Rank in 2025#28 of 32
What Start avg is
Average starting field position, in yards from the opponent's goal line — so a lower number means the offense started closer to scoring. It is mostly a product of the defense and special teams, which hand the offense its starting point.
Lower is better. It is a rate, so a team's number does not grow with games played. Source: P + N.
Through Week 6 of 2026, the Panthers lead at 188.62; the league average is 258.20.
League snapshot — 2026
All 32 teams, lower is better.
| Rank | Team | Value | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAR | 188.62 | 4 |
| 2 | KC | 205.48 | 4 |
| 3 | CIN | 225.81 | 5 |
| 4 | DET | 245.10 | 5 |
| 5 | DAL | 245.26 | 5 |
| 6 | WAS | 250.79 | 5 |
| 7 | NO | 253.60 | 5 |
| 8 | BUF | 253.87 | 5 |
| 9 | LV | 254.05 | 5 |
| 10 | IND | 254.20 | 5 |
| 11 | MIA | 254.24 | 5 |
| 12 | BAL | 254.53 | 5 |
| 13 | ARI | 255.02 | 5 |
| 14 | HOU | 255.85 | 5 |
| 15 | PIT | 258.74 | 5 |
| 16 | NYJ | 258.77 | 5 |
| 17 | DEN | 260.01 | 5 |
| 18 | SF | 260.05 | 5 |
| 19 | TB | 260.22 | 5 |
| 20 | PHI | 261.60 | 5 |
| 21 | GB | 262.32 | 5 |
| 22 | TEN | 266.42 | 5 |
| 23 | NYG | 266.84 | 5 |
| 24 | CLE | 270.32 | 5 |
| 25 | ATL | 272.53 | 5 |
| 26 | LAR | 276.61 | 5 |
| 27 | LAC | 278.45 | 5 |
| 28 | JAX | 278.73 | 5 |
| 29 | SEA | 279.87 | 5 |
| 30 | CHI | 280.89 | 5 |
| 31 | MIN | 284.98 | 5 |
| 32 | NE | 288.56 | 5 |
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 | CAR | 188.62 | -69.58 | 100% |
| 2 | KC | 205.48 | -52.72 | 96.8% |
| 3 | CIN | 225.81 | -32.39 | 93.5% |
| 4 | DET | 245.10 | -13.10 | 90.3% |
| 5 | DAL | 245.26 | -12.94 | 87.1% |
| 6 | WAS | 250.79 | -7.41 | 83.9% |
| 7 | NO | 253.60 | -4.60 | 80.6% |
| 8 | BUF | 253.87 | -4.33 | 77.4% |
| 9 | LV | 254.05 | -4.15 | 74.2% |
| 10 | IND | 254.20 | -4.00 | 71% |
| 11 | MIA | 254.24 | -3.96 | 67.7% |
| 12 | BAL | 254.53 | -3.67 | 64.5% |
| 13 | ARI | 255.02 | -3.18 | 61.3% |
| 14 | HOU | 255.85 | -2.35 | 58.1% |
| 15 | PIT | 258.74 | 0.54 | 54.8% |
| 16 | NYJ | 258.77 | 0.57 | 51.6% |
| 17 | DEN | 260.01 | 1.81 | 48.4% |
| 18 | SF | 260.05 | 1.85 | 45.2% |
| 19 | TB | 260.22 | 2.02 | 41.9% |
| 20 | PHI | 261.60 | 3.40 | 38.7% |
| 21 | GB | 262.32 | 4.12 | 35.5% |
| 22 | TEN | 266.42 | 8.22 | 32.3% |
| 23 | NYG | 266.84 | 8.64 | 29% |
| 24 | CLE | 270.32 | 12.12 | 25.8% |
| 25 | ATL | 272.53 | 14.33 | 22.6% |
| 26 | LAR | 276.61 | 18.41 | 19.4% |
| 27 | LAC | 278.45 | 20.25 | 16.1% |
| 28 | JAX | 278.73 | 20.53 | 12.9% |
| 29 | SEA | 279.87 | 21.67 | 9.7% |
| 30 | CHI | 280.89 | 22.69 | 6.5% |
| 31 | MIN | 284.98 | 26.78 | 3.2% |
| 32 | NE | 288.56 | 30.36 | 0% |
Does Start avg matter against the spread?
Run as a one-stat algorithm against the closing line, this stat went 822–756–37 ATS (52.1%) across 2020–2025, #165 of 296 ranked.
Its best season was 2025 (155–114, 57.6%); its worst 2024 (130–133, 49.4%).
For picks, this is noise. One stat is not a recipe — the algorithms combine many.
| Season | Games | ATS record | ATS % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 256 | 133–121–2 | 52.4% |
| 2021 | 272 | 135–135–2 | 50.0% |
| 2022 | 271 | 140–124–7 | 53.0% |
| 2023 | 272 | 129–129–14 | 50.0% |
| 2024 | 272 | 130–133–9 | 49.4% |
| 2025 | 272 | 155–114–3 | 57.6% |
Start avg in 2026 vs 2025
Panthers lead at 188.62 — they ranked #12 last year. Patriots are last at 288.56 — #23 last year.
The league average is 258.20, down 628.58 from 886.78 last year.
Biggest riser: Chiefs, #24 → #2. Biggest faller: Bears, #8 → #30.
Spread between first and last: 99.94; 25 teams are within 20.55 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 | ARI | 255.02 | 814.96 | −559.94 |
| 2 | TEN | 266.42 | 842.07 | −575.65 |
| 3 | CHI | 280.89 | 865.24 | −584.35 |
| 4 | WAS | 250.79 | 835.99 | −585.20 |
| 5 | NYJ | 258.77 | 845.25 | −586.48 |
| 6 | NYG | 266.84 | 860.12 | −593.28 |
| 7 | DAL | 245.26 | 840.14 | −594.88 |
| 8 | BAL | 254.53 | 853.76 | −599.23 |
| 9 | PIT | 258.74 | 865.60 | −606.86 |
| 10 | JAX | 278.73 | 890.67 | −611.94 |
| 11 | IND | 254.20 | 868.35 | −614.15 |
| 12 | ATL | 272.53 | 888.19 | −615.66 |
| 13 | MIN | 284.98 | 902.06 | −617.08 |
| 14 | NE | 288.56 | 907.19 | −618.63 |
| 15 | LAC | 278.45 | 897.44 | −618.99 |
| 16 | TB | 260.22 | 884.04 | −623.82 |
| 17 | NO | 253.60 | 881.62 | −628.02 |
| 18 | DET | 245.10 | 874.30 | −629.20 |
| 19 | SF | 260.05 | 891.49 | −631.44 |
| 20 | MIA | 254.24 | 892.23 | −637.99 |
| 21 | CIN | 225.81 | 866.71 | −640.90 |
| 22 | LAR | 276.61 | 918.32 | −641.71 |
| 23 | LV | 254.05 | 902.85 | −648.80 |
| 24 | CLE | 270.32 | 920.41 | −650.09 |
| 25 | GB | 262.32 | 912.47 | −650.15 |
| 26 | SEA | 279.87 | 938.52 | −658.65 |
| 27 | BUF | 253.87 | 919.44 | −665.57 |
| 28 | PHI | 261.60 | 935.26 | −673.66 |
| 29 | HOU | 255.85 | 933.35 | −677.50 |
| 30 | CAR | 188.62 | 868.77 | −680.15 |
| 31 | DEN | 260.01 | 950.13 | −690.12 |
| 32 | KC | 205.48 | 909.88 | −704.40 |
Multi-year context
7-year window (2020–2026)
Multi-year averages
| Rank | Team | Avg | Slope/yr | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DET | 766.70 | −51.32 | 770.16 | 833.01 | 859.55 | 869.67 | 915.14 | 874.30 | 245.10 |
| 2 | CIN | 769.72 | −64.55 | 818.79 | 888.17 | 842.05 | 890.05 | 856.49 | 866.71 | 225.81 |
| 3 | CHI | 775.60 | −53.48 | 800.29 | 859.44 | 844.98 | 884.11 | 894.25 | 865.24 | 280.89 |
| 4 | LV | 777.64 | −52.93 | 759.23 | 875.87 | 896.71 | 878.60 | 876.16 | 902.85 | 254.05 |
| 5 | CAR | 777.75 | −72.24 | 793.73 | 909.59 | 940.85 | 927.60 | 815.07 | 868.77 | 188.62 |
| 6 | IND | 779.54 | −58.36 | 807.79 | 867.17 | 884.44 | 866.10 | 908.72 | 868.35 | 254.20 |
| 7 | DAL | 780.07 | −65.29 | 815.21 | 879.89 | 914.60 | 889.45 | 875.91 | 840.14 | 245.26 |
| 8 | ATL | 780.24 | −57.30 | 848.66 | 833.60 | 851.61 | 900.52 | 866.56 | 888.19 | 272.53 |
| 9 | NYJ | 783.24 | −61.39 | 817.55 | 837.31 | 947.46 | 887.32 | 889.04 | 845.25 | 258.77 |
| 10 | TEN | 784.05 | −59.87 | 791.63 | 872.88 | 935.92 | 882.61 | 896.83 | 842.07 | 266.42 |
| 11 | JAX | 784.47 | −53.01 | 790.75 | 872.70 | 874.60 | 893.28 | 890.54 | 890.67 | 278.73 |
| 12 | ARI | 785.53 | −68.72 | 849.22 | 896.61 | 885.20 | 890.88 | 906.80 | 814.96 | 255.02 |
| 13 | NYG | 786.40 | −62.42 | 810.65 | 907.12 | 895.77 | 890.86 | 873.47 | 860.12 | 266.84 |
| 14 | NO | 789.38 | −63.97 | 814.29 | 899.09 | 930.73 | 889.82 | 856.50 | 881.62 | 253.60 |
| 15 | WAS | 789.56 | −73.06 | 863.77 | 886.51 | 966.72 | 862.15 | 861.00 | 835.99 | 250.79 |
| 16 | GB | 790.01 | −57.57 | 826.06 | 894.00 | 864.37 | 864.27 | 906.56 | 912.47 | 262.32 |
| 17 | BUF | 792.51 | −61.36 | 829.58 | 906.42 | 871.25 | 912.84 | 854.19 | 919.44 | 253.87 |
| 18 | KC | 794.82 | −65.23 | 847.44 | 870.42 | 885.96 | 938.09 | 906.49 | 909.88 | 205.48 |
| 19 | NE | 797.95 | −53.19 | 801.05 | 876.43 | 885.73 | 954.29 | 872.40 | 907.19 | 288.56 |
| 20 | HOU | 798.65 | −53.58 | 806.83 | 852.21 | 904.53 | 942.68 | 895.07 | 933.35 | 255.85 |
| 21 | MIN | 800.48 | −52.15 | 802.16 | 889.77 | 865.17 | 927.43 | 931.82 | 902.06 | 284.98 |
| 22 | MIA | 800.62 | −64.78 | 858.11 | 893.42 | 910.67 | 884.87 | 910.83 | 892.23 | 254.24 |
| 23 | LAC | 801.97 | −52.00 | 830.69 | 835.64 | 875.99 | 942.43 | 953.14 | 897.44 | 278.45 |
| 24 | SEA | 802.84 | −52.86 | 807.37 | 912.82 | 878.43 | 873.32 | 929.56 | 938.52 | 279.87 |
| 25 | PHI | 803.34 | −58.51 | 840.86 | 869.42 | 940.03 | 868.45 | 907.75 | 935.26 | 261.60 |
| 26 | SF | 803.40 | −66.96 | 839.96 | 943.87 | 911.80 | 895.32 | 881.29 | 891.49 | 260.05 |
| 27 | TB | 804.77 | −63.49 | 823.51 | 896.10 | 959.22 | 914.72 | 895.58 | 884.04 | 260.22 |
| 28 | PIT | 805.18 | −66.85 | 851.91 | 890.76 | 931.64 | 947.85 | 889.77 | 865.60 | 258.74 |
| 29 | BAL | 806.61 | −68.17 | 841.08 | 939.15 | 917.49 | 901.18 | 939.11 | 853.76 | 254.53 |
| 30 | DEN | 807.67 | −58.46 | 819.42 | 916.14 | 941.51 | 851.75 | 914.76 | 950.13 | 260.01 |
| 31 | CLE | 810.44 | −56.04 | 821.50 | 895.97 | 883.00 | 963.39 | 918.47 | 920.41 | 270.32 |
| 32 | LAR | 812.10 | −67.24 | 904.23 | 908.70 | 895.77 | 904.36 | 876.73 | 918.32 | 276.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAR | 793.73 | 909.59 | 940.85 | 927.60 | 815.07 | 868.77 | 188.62 |
| KC | 847.44 | 870.42 | 885.96 | 938.09 | 906.49 | 909.88 | 205.48 |
| CIN | 818.79 | 888.17 | 842.05 | 890.05 | 856.49 | 866.71 | 225.81 |
| DET | 770.16 | 833.01 | 859.55 | 869.67 | 915.14 | 874.30 | 245.10 |
| DAL | 815.21 | 879.89 | 914.60 | 889.45 | 875.91 | 840.14 | 245.26 |
| WAS | 863.77 | 886.51 | 966.72 | 862.15 | 861.00 | 835.99 | 250.79 |
| NO | 814.29 | 899.09 | 930.73 | 889.82 | 856.50 | 881.62 | 253.60 |
| BUF | 829.58 | 906.42 | 871.25 | 912.84 | 854.19 | 919.44 | 253.87 |
| LV | 759.23 | 875.87 | 896.71 | 878.60 | 876.16 | 902.85 | 254.05 |
| IND | 807.79 | 867.17 | 884.44 | 866.10 | 908.72 | 868.35 | 254.20 |
| MIA | 858.11 | 893.42 | 910.67 | 884.87 | 910.83 | 892.23 | 254.24 |
| BAL | 841.08 | 939.15 | 917.49 | 901.18 | 939.11 | 853.76 | 254.53 |
| ARI | 849.22 | 896.61 | 885.20 | 890.88 | 906.80 | 814.96 | 255.02 |
| HOU | 806.83 | 852.21 | 904.53 | 942.68 | 895.07 | 933.35 | 255.85 |
| PIT | 851.91 | 890.76 | 931.64 | 947.85 | 889.77 | 865.60 | 258.74 |
| NYJ | 817.55 | 837.31 | 947.46 | 887.32 | 889.04 | 845.25 | 258.77 |
| DEN | 819.42 | 916.14 | 941.51 | 851.75 | 914.76 | 950.13 | 260.01 |
| SF | 839.96 | 943.87 | 911.80 | 895.32 | 881.29 | 891.49 | 260.05 |
| TB | 823.51 | 896.10 | 959.22 | 914.72 | 895.58 | 884.04 | 260.22 |
| PHI | 840.86 | 869.42 | 940.03 | 868.45 | 907.75 | 935.26 | 261.60 |
| GB | 826.06 | 894.00 | 864.37 | 864.27 | 906.56 | 912.47 | 262.32 |
| TEN | 791.63 | 872.88 | 935.92 | 882.61 | 896.83 | 842.07 | 266.42 |
| NYG | 810.65 | 907.12 | 895.77 | 890.86 | 873.47 | 860.12 | 266.84 |
| CLE | 821.50 | 895.97 | 883.00 | 963.39 | 918.47 | 920.41 | 270.32 |
| ATL | 848.66 | 833.60 | 851.61 | 900.52 | 866.56 | 888.19 | 272.53 |
| LAR | 904.23 | 908.70 | 895.77 | 904.36 | 876.73 | 918.32 | 276.61 |
| LAC | 830.69 | 835.64 | 875.99 | 942.43 | 953.14 | 897.44 | 278.45 |
| JAX | 790.75 | 872.70 | 874.60 | 893.28 | 890.54 | 890.67 | 278.73 |
| SEA | 807.37 | 912.82 | 878.43 | 873.32 | 929.56 | 938.52 | 279.87 |
| CHI | 800.29 | 859.44 | 844.98 | 884.11 | 894.25 | 865.24 | 280.89 |
| MIN | 802.16 | 889.77 | 865.17 | 927.43 | 931.82 | 902.06 | 284.98 |
| NE | 801.05 | 876.43 | 885.73 | 954.29 | 872.40 | 907.19 | 288.56 |
Start avg since 2018
Leaders since 2018: 2018 Bengals (772.67), 2019 Dolphins (785.31), 2020 Raiders (759.23), 2021 Lions (833.01), 2022 Bengals (842.05), 2023 Broncos (851.75), 2024 Panthers (815.07), 2025 Cardinals (814.96), 2026 Panthers (188.62).
Bengals have led this stat 2 of 9 seasons.
The best season on record is Panthers 2026 at 188.62; the worst Commanders 2022 at 966.72.
The league average has fallen from 849.77 in 2018 to 258.20 in 2026.
Distribution
How the 32 teams cluster for 2026.
About this stat
- Stat ID
- off_drives_start_avg
- Side
- offensive
- Family
- Drive Averages
- Data source
- P + N
- Polarity
- lower is better
- Display grain
- rate
- Algorithm eligibility
- Algorithm-eligible: this stat can be picked in the Algorithm Builder.