As we pass the halfway point of the NFL season, certain teams have separated themselves not only in the win column but also in their performance against the spread (ATS) and in games hitting the over or under (O/U). Let’s dive into the Raymond Report chart to identify the top-performing teams in these categories after 11 weeks.
Straight Up (SU) Records: Who's Dominating?
The top teams in SU performance, not surprisingly, are also among the league's elite:
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-1 SU):
Dominating with consistency, the Chiefs remain nearly unbeatable at home (5-0 SU) and solid on the road (4-1 SU). - Buffalo Bills (9-2 SU):
Buffalo has an impressive perfect record at home (5-0 SU), showcasing their dominance in Orchard Park. - Detroit Lions (9-1 SU):
Detroit has made its mark as one of the best teams both at home (4-1 SU) and on the road (5-0 SU), signaling a well-rounded squad.
Against the Spread (ATS): Who’s Covering the Number?
Covering the spread often indicates teams exceeding expectations, and some franchises have been more reliable than others:
- Detroit Lions (8-2 ATS):
The Lions are as reliable against the spread as they are in the win column. They’ve covered in 80% of their games, both at home and on the road. - Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2 ATS):
Despite being less explosive, the Steelers excel ATS, with consistent coverage at home and on the road (4-1 ATS each). - Minnesota Vikings (8-2 ATS):
Like the Lions, the Vikings are outperforming expectations, consistently covering at home (4-1 ATS) and on the road (4-1 ATS). - Washington Commanders (8-3 ATS):
Washington has been a surprising standout, leveraging an 8-3 ATS record fueled by consistent coverage on the road (4-2 ATS).
OVER/UNDER Records: Points and Defensive Trends
Games with high-scoring fireworks or defensive struggles often play a big role in O/U outcomes:
- Baltimore Ravens (10-1 O/U):
Baltimore leads the league with games consistently hitting the over, especially at home (5-0 O/U). Their offense and defense contribute to shootouts. - Buffalo Bills (8-3 O/U):
With a dynamic offense and occasional defensive lapses, Buffalo games trend toward the over, particularly at home (5-0 O/U). - Washington Commanders (8-3 O/U):
Washington's games have leaned heavily into high-scoring affairs, splitting their over results fairly evenly between home (3-2 O/U) and road (5-1 O/U). - Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3 O/U):
Jacksonville stands out on the road, hitting the over in 83% of games (5-1 O/U).
Top UNDER Performers
For teams consistently hitting the under, strong defenses or weak offenses are typically to thank.
- Miami Dolphins (4-6-0 O/U):
- Games lean under more often, indicating strong defensive showings or offensive inconsistencies.
- New England Patriots (3-8-0 O/U):
- Defensive battles and offensive struggles result in frequent unders.
- New York Jets (3-8-0 O/U):
- A tough defense combined with an underperforming offense drives unders.
Balanced Performers
A few teams excel across all categories, demonstrating their versatility:
- Detroit Lions:
With a 9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS, and 6-4 O/U record, the Lions are a model of consistency for bettors and fans alike. Their ability to cover spreads and win outright makes them one of the most reliable teams. - Buffalo Bills:
Buffalo pairs their strong SU record (9-2) with a solid ATS (7-4) and O/U performance (8-3), marking them as one of the best all-around teams. - Pittsburgh Steelers:
Despite a less dominant offense, the Steelers balance a strong SU record (8-2) with consistent ATS (8-2) performance, though their games trend under (5-5 O/U).
Underperformers
While some teams thrive, others falter in all categories. Teams like the New York Giants (2-8 SU, 3-7 ATS) and Tennessee Titans (2-8 SU, 1-9 ATS) struggle to find footing, making them less reliable options for bettors.
Key Takeaways
- Teams like the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Pittsburgh Steelers are leading across multiple metrics.
- The Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders have been O/U gold mines, while the Minnesota Vikings and Lions dominate ATS.
- Struggling teams such as the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans present opportunities to fade.
The Raymond Report emphasizes the importance of context when interpreting these numbers. Understanding matchups, trends, and situational performance can give bettors an edge heading into the next stretch of games.