Comparing NFL's Top 5 Offenses and Defenses Against the Spread

With the changing rules in the NFL, teams are scoring at an incredible rate this season.

Offenses are attacking both on the ground and through the air, and the defenses feel the pressure that comes with more defensive penalties being called. The referees are paying special attention to pass-interference calls, giving the offenses an even greater advantage.

With that, let’s take a look at the top-scoring offenses in points scored compared to the best defenses in the league in points allowed and see how they are doing against the spread so far this season.

Season ATS stats are provided courtesy of CoopersPick.com. 

The top-scoring offenses in the league in terms of points are: the Denver Broncos (who are 4-3 or 57 percent ATS), Indianapolis Colts (6-2, 75 percent), New England Patriots (4-4, 50 percent), Philadelphia Eagles (4-3, 57 percent) and the New Orleans Saints (3-4, 42 percent).

All of these teams are lighting it up on the scoreboard, with each averaging over 28 points per game. 

Each one of these offenses is usually known for being able to score points, but with the changing in rules, each team has benefited to an even greater extent. The only exception seems to be the underachieving Saints, who are sub-.500 ATS.

The role of the offense is to score, which these teams definitely do. And in return, their cumulative ATS record is profitable but not quite to the point where football bettors want it to be: 21-16 or 56 percent overall. And if you take away the Colts, it drops to 15-14—nothing to write home about.

While the game may have changed to help these offenses, defenses are beginning to make adjustments as the season progresses.

Emerging among the top five defenses in terms of points allowed per game so far this season are: the Lions (4-4, 50 percent ATS), Ravens (4-3-1, 57 percent), Chiefs (5-2, 71 percent), Chargers (5-3, 62 percent) and Cardinals (5-2, 71 percent). It doesn't take an Einstein to realize those are impressively favorable statistics for a bettor. 

The proof? Regardless of the present offensive onslaught, the teams that are leading the league in terms of points allowed (cumulatively at 23-14-1, 60 percent) have an ATS record significantly greater than the teams that are leading the league in points for. 

In other words? Defense still wins games (at least off the field and in our pockets!). 

As the season continues to progress, NFL handicappers should continue to see more defenses adapt to the new rules and wrestle back their advantage from a few high-powered offenses.

With the defenses cashing at a higher rate than the offenses, backing a team with a solid defensive unit seems like the better play in the NFL so far this year.

Sure, the offenses may make the game more exciting as a fan, but bettors want to back the side that brings home the bacon.

And right now, we're getting the best of both worlds.