It's tough to make predictions based on preseason results in the NFL, but I was looking at the stats for total points scored, and saw some interesting results. A more careful analysis would break down points scored based on whether or not the first teams were in, but I'll leave that for someone else.
Points For
| Rank | Team | PF |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Packers | 123 |
| 2 | Saints | 122 |
| 3 | Bengals | 112 |
| 4 | Bills | 111 |
| ⋮ | ⋮ | ⋮ |
| 29 | Jets | 57 |
| 30 | Falcons | 55 |
| 31 | Bears | 46 |
| 32 | Panthers | 33 |
Comments
The Packers and Saints are right back to their high-scoring ways
Perhaps the Bengals' biggest problems last season was an inability to score points. Maybe they've finally got that fixed?
It doesn't bode well for teams (like the Jets and Bears) that have high expectations for the season that they scored so few points in the preseason.
The Panthers scored just 2 touchdowns in the preseason (every other team scored at least 5). There is some good news for them, though, seen below.
Points Against
| Rank | Team | PA |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Ravens | 52 |
| T1 | Panthers | 52 |
| 3 | Falcons | 57 |
| T4 | Cardinals, Vikings | 59 |
| ⋮ | ⋮ | ⋮ |
| 28 | Broncos | 106 |
| 30 | Bills | 111 |
| 31 | Bengals | 112 |
| 32 | Colts | 160 |
Comments
Lost in the attention given their QB controversy, the Cardinals had a very good preseason on defense.
The Panthers had a very good preseason on defense too. But unless their offense gets going, they will likely still struggle to make it to 8 wins this year.
Bad news for the Bengals: getting the offense going isn't going to help if the defense suddenly becomes a revolving door.
The Colts defense really got smoked in the preseason (though not all of those 160 points is their fault, the special teams were giving up touchdowns too).
Net Points
| Rank | Team | Net Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vikings | 34 |
| 2 | Ravens | 33 |
| 3 | 49ers | 32 |
| 4 | Packers | 31 |
| ⋮ | ⋮ | ⋮ |
| 29 | Seahawks | -15 |
| 30 | Panthers | -19 |
| 31 | Bears | -38 |
| 32 | Colts | -70 |
Some of the usual suspects at the top of the list. The Ravens and 49ers have to be the early favorites to win their respective divisions, I think.
I posted this a few times elsewhere, but it's worth repeating: if the Bears are mastering a Martz-style offense, they kept it well hidden in the preseason.
