When are NFL standings not a true representation of the strength of the league's teams? When you are looking at NFL preseason standings.
In fact, you can often look at these standings and use it to bet against the 'best' teams and bet for the 'worst' teams.
That's because Week 1 NFL betting odds are often skewed by a team's solid or lousy showing in the preseason. Public bettors who watch only standings and ESPN highlights can be led towards the wrong side of the bet. [ Read more on NFL Week 1 Betting Theory ]
Atlanta was 13-3 last season, but were 0-4 in the 2011 preseason. They are favored in Chicago, maybe not by enough points. And what about the Rams? They are 4-0 this exhibition schedule but in big trouble at home against the Philadelphia Eagles to start the season.
Take a peek at the standings below and use it to guide your handicapping of Week 1 NFL odds value.
| AFC | ||||||
| East | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| Miami Dolphins | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 78 | 53 |
| New York Jets | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 74 | 54 |
| New England Patriots | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 105 | 78 |
| Buffalo Bills | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.25 | 54 | 82 |
| North | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 92 | 64 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 98 | 63 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.25 | 83 | 95 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.25 | 47 | 91 |
| South | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| Houston Texans | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 77 | 65 |
| Tennessee Titans | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 76 | 42 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.25 | 76 | 119 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.25 | 51 | 86 |
| West | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 77 | 80 |
| San Diego Chargers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 88 | 82 |
| Oakland Raiders | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 101 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 90 |
| NFC | ||||||
| East | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| Washington Redskins | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 92 | 68 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 75 | 58 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 57 | 77 |
| New York Giants | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 72 | 67 |
| North | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| Detroit Lions | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 114 | 47 |
| Green Bay Packers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.75 | 89 | 87 |
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 60 | 72 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 68 | 44 |
| South | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 80 | 73 |
| New Orleans Saints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 87 | 82 |
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.25 | 60 | 87 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 98 |
| West | W | L | T | Pct | PF | PA |
| St. Louis Rams | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 88 | 53 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 101 | 87 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 47 | 74 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.5 | 71 | 63 |
