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Is Winning In Close Games Sustainable?

In 2017, the Carolina Panthers went 11-5, thanks largely to a 7-1 record in games decided by 7 or fewer points. This means that in non-close games, Carolina went 4-4.

In 2018, Carolina was even better in non-close games, going 5-2. But the Panthers didn’t replicate their close-game success; in fact, the Panthers luck swung wildly in a different direction, going just 2-7 in close games.  This has actually been a trend of the Ron RiveraCam Newton Panthers.  The duo got off to a very rocky start, going 1-5 (0.167) in close games in their first year together in 2011, and then 1-7 (0.125) in close games in 2012.  After that season, I wrote that Carolina looked like a team on the rise that would probably start experiencing good luck soon.  That turned out to be one of my most accurate predictions, as in close games, Carolina went 5-2 (0.714) in 2013, 4-2-1 (0.643) in 2014, and then 6-1 (0.857) in 2015.  The Panthers then swung the other way, going 2-6 (0.250) in 2016, then up to 7-1 (0.875) in 2017, and back down to 2-7 (0.222) in 2018.

The Panthers yo-yo performance in close games is not that unusual; for the most part, winning percentage in close games is not sustainable. How did I measure that?

1) I looked at the records in close games (7 or fewer points margin of victor) and records in non-close games for every team since 1990.

2) Because of small sample sizes, I then calculated a projected winning percentage in close games based on that team’s winning percentage in non-close games after adding 11 games of .500 play to that record. So if a team went 2-0 in non-close games, they’d be expected to have a 0.577 winning percentage (7.5 wins out of 13 games) in close games.

3) I then calculate how many wins above expectation in close games each team had. By this measure, the 2012 Colts exceeded expectations the most. That year, Indianapolis went 2-4 in non-close games, so we would expect them to have a 0.441 winning percentage in close games (7.5 wins out of 17 games). Indianapolis played in 10 close games (expected to win 4.41 games) and actually won 9 of them, giving the Colts 4.59 more close games wins than expected. The next year, Indianapolis won 1.70 more close games than expected, so this regressed to the mean quite a bit.

The correlation coefficient between wins above expectation in Year N and in Year N+1 is just 0.04, making it practically zero. The graph below shows all teams since 1990; their wins above expectation in Year N is on the X-Axis, and wins above expectation in Year N+1 is on the Y-Axis. As you can tell, it’s essentially a random scatterplot of data:

And here is the raw data:

YearTeamNCG WinsNCGNCG W%CG WinsCGCG W%Exp CG W%DiffN+1
2012clt260.3339100.9000.4414.591.71
2016htx160.1678100.8000.3824.18-0.93
1995buf390.333771.0000.4254.031.25
1993rai140.2509120.7500.4333.802.42
2011rai170.143790.7780.3613.750.30
2016mia260.3338100.8000.4413.592.73
2001chi580.625881.0000.5533.580.76
2004jax150.2008110.7270.4063.532.41
2000nyg590.556771.0000.5253.330.42
2008clt470.571890.8890.5283.252.63
2016rai470.571890.8890.5283.251.38
2009rai090.000570.7140.2753.08-1.29
1996sdg3110.273551.0000.3863.07-0.93
1992clt390.333670.8570.4253.031.52
2003car240.5009120.7500.5003.00-2.29
2017car480.500780.8750.5003.00-3.25
2011crd030.0008130.6150.3932.890.38
1999nyg2100.200560.8330.3572.863.33
1995ram2100.200560.8330.3572.860.57
2001nyj250.4008110.7270.4692.84-1.03
2014sfo280.250680.7500.3952.842.14
2008den280.250680.7500.3952.840.61
2017crd280.250680.7500.3952.840.14
1998rai280.250680.7500.3952.84-2.89
2002sfo370.429790.7780.4722.75-2.42
2017mia190.111570.7140.3252.732.86
2007sfo080.000580.6250.2892.681.57
1993det490.444670.8570.4752.681.00
2002clt490.444670.8570.4752.680.82
2009clt790.778771.0000.6252.63-0.25
1998crd260.3337100.7000.4412.591.86
1996clt260.3337100.7000.4412.59-2.16
2013nyj3100.300560.8330.4052.57-0.25
2006oti150.2007110.6360.4062.531.25
2015clt150.2007110.6360.4062.530.75
2003cin150.2007110.6360.4062.530.00
2011den150.2007110.6360.4062.53-1.19
2008was150.2007110.6360.4062.53-1.75
2013jax0100.000460.6670.2622.430.06
2003crd0100.000460.6670.2622.43-0.58
1993min380.375680.7500.4472.422.00
2004sea380.375680.7500.4472.420.74
2001sea380.375680.7500.4472.420.42
1994rai380.375680.7500.4472.42-1.29
1990rai460.6678100.8000.5592.411.00
2005jax460.6678100.8000.5592.41-3.75
1997cin290.222570.7140.3752.381.08
1990dal290.222570.7140.3752.380.43
1996crd290.222570.7140.3752.38-0.25
2017gnb290.222570.7140.3752.38-0.75
1994nor290.222570.7140.3752.38-1.00
1995tam290.222570.7140.3752.38-1.33
1992mia590.556670.8570.5252.331.00
2014det590.556670.8570.5252.330.42
1990cin4100.400560.8330.4522.29-0.74
2015tam180.125580.6250.3422.261.00
1991nwe180.125580.6250.3422.26-0.86
1997phi170.1435.590.6110.3612.250.68
2008mia470.571790.7780.5282.252.18
1990sfo670.857890.8890.6392.25-3.68
2004nor270.286690.6670.4172.25-0.28
2015den340.7509120.7500.5672.20-0.84
2009jax160.1676100.6000.3822.182.03
2011kan160.1676100.6000.3822.180.75
2009mia160.1676100.6000.3822.180.42
2014gnb7110.636551.0000.5682.16-1.07
2012htx7110.636551.0000.5682.16-1.78
2002gnb7110.636551.0000.5682.16-1.86
1995kan680.750780.8750.6052.161.68
1999oti680.750780.8750.6052.16-0.68
2016nyg350.6008110.7270.5312.16-1.14
2015sfo1100.100460.6670.3102.14-0.86
2011tam090.000470.5710.2752.08-1.75
2017was3110.273450.8000.3862.072.07
2010jax390.333570.7140.4252.03-0.16
1999sdg390.333570.7140.4252.03-0.93
2003dal5100.500560.8330.5002.001.38
2012min5100.500560.8330.5002.001.25
2005nwe5100.500560.8330.5002.000.63
2001rav5100.500560.8330.5002.000.59
2007nyg5100.500560.8330.5002.000.14
1995phi480.500680.7500.5002.00-0.84
2002nyg240.5008120.6670.5002.000.30
1994min360.5007100.7000.5002.00-1.42
1990mia690.667670.8570.5751.98-0.68
1994nyg130.3338130.6150.4641.96-0.75
2016det130.3338130.6150.4641.96-1.03
2004pit9100.900661.0000.6901.86-2.14
1999crd2100.200460.6670.3571.860.52
2006sfo280.250580.6250.3951.842.68
2001atl280.250580.6250.3951.840.75
1990clt280.250580.6250.3951.840.04
1998pit280.250580.6250.3951.84-1.33
2015phi280.250580.6250.3951.84-3.03
2004ram4110.364450.8000.4321.840.84
2017pit560.8338100.8000.6181.82-0.30
2012dal140.2507120.5830.4331.800.00
2000chi060.0005100.5000.3241.763.58
2003htx060.0005100.5000.3241.76-1.00
1996min370.429690.6670.4721.751.75
2016oti370.429690.6670.4721.751.00
1997min370.429690.6670.4721.75-0.04
2000det370.429690.6670.4721.75-1.24
1999mia370.429690.6670.4721.75-1.73
2003nwe780.875780.8750.6581.740.13
2009cle190.111470.5710.3251.73-1.41
2005chi6100.600560.8330.5481.710.70
2013clt6100.600560.8330.5481.710.43
1991chi6100.600560.8330.5481.71-0.65
1998atl9110.818551.0000.6591.700.38
2005sfo080.000480.5000.2891.681.84
2012phi080.000480.5000.2891.680.83
2006cle080.000480.5000.2891.68-0.25
1995sdg490.444570.7140.4751.683.07
1996kan490.444570.7140.4751.681.63
2017buf490.444570.7140.4751.680.57
2014sdg490.444570.7140.4751.68-1.47
1991det8120.667441.0000.5871.65-2.33
1997kan790.778670.8570.6251.63-1.00
2009sdg790.778670.8570.6251.63-1.57
2003kan790.778670.8570.6251.63-1.75
1992gnb5110.455450.8000.4771.61-0.42
2005min5110.455450.8000.4771.61-1.25
2010was040.0006120.5000.3671.60-0.16
2013mia260.3336100.6000.4411.59-0.61
1993phi260.3336100.6000.4411.59-1.00
2013chi260.3336100.6000.4411.59-1.83
2010nor580.625680.7500.5531.580.70
2008atl580.625680.7500.5531.580.39
2000min580.625680.7500.5531.58-0.43
2004atl580.625680.7500.5531.58-0.68
2007den3100.300460.6670.4051.572.84
2007buf3100.300460.6670.4051.570.29
2008sfo3100.300460.6670.4051.57-2.84
1995cin150.2006110.5450.4061.530.00
2013oti150.2006110.5450.4061.53-0.48
2014car390.3334.570.6430.4251.530.93
1993clt1110.091350.6000.2951.521.42
2004phi9120.750441.0000.6301.481.18
1991den450.8008110.7270.5941.470.68
2006clt450.8008110.7270.5941.47-0.68
2003ram7100.700560.8330.5951.431.84
2008car7100.700560.8330.5951.430.56
1993buf7100.700560.8330.5951.43-1.00
1993nor380.375580.6250.4471.422.38
2000buf380.375580.6250.4471.420.25
2006ram380.375580.6250.4471.42-0.70
1994clt380.375580.6250.4471.42-0.80
2009oti380.375580.6250.4471.42-1.39
2002buf380.375580.6250.4471.42-1.39
2010chi460.6677100.7000.5591.410.68
2012oti290.222470.5710.3751.381.53
2017rai290.222470.5710.3751.381.52
1997nor290.222470.5710.3751.381.38
2004dal290.222470.5710.3751.380.16
2001cin290.222470.5710.3751.38-0.48
1998nor290.222470.5710.3751.38-1.14
1997buf290.222470.5710.3751.38-1.18
2014cin7120.5833.540.8750.5431.33-0.73
1996dal590.556570.7140.5251.33-1.25
1991phi590.556570.7140.5251.33-1.26
2010nwe10120.833441.0000.6741.30-0.14
2002crd2110.182350.6000.3411.302.43
1992sfo890.889670.8570.6751.28-2.30
2016was370.4295.590.6110.4721.252.07
2010atl670.857790.7780.6391.25-0.02
2016dal670.857790.7780.6391.25-0.17
2012atl670.857790.7780.6391.25-0.82
1997atl270.286590.5560.4171.251.70
2001crd270.286590.5560.4171.251.30
2001oti270.286590.5560.4171.250.43
2013min170.1434.590.5000.3611.250.42
1994atl270.286590.5560.4171.25-0.59
2015nor270.286590.5560.4171.25-1.00
1995crd070.000490.4440.3061.252.38
1996buf470.571690.6670.5281.251.38
2007oti470.571690.6670.5281.250.70
1991atl470.571690.6670.5281.250.57
2016ram070.000490.4440.3061.250.43
2009cin470.571690.6670.5281.25-1.75
1998sdg050.0005110.4550.3441.222.03
2002pit6100.6004.560.7500.5481.21-1.33
2005phi160.1675100.5000.3821.18-1.38
2010sea5140.357221.0000.4201.16-1.68
1990chi7110.636450.8000.5681.161.71
1992pit7110.636450.8000.5681.161.00
2014crd7110.636450.8000.5681.160.70
2005cin7110.636450.8000.5681.16-2.03
2003phi680.750680.7500.6051.161.48
2008pit680.750680.7500.6051.16-3.22
2014was1100.100360.5000.3101.140.33
2006tam1100.100360.5000.3101.140.33
2007gnb8100.800560.8330.6431.14-3.42
1998cin090.000370.4290.2751.080.70
1991ram090.000370.4290.2751.08-0.71
2009det0120.000240.5000.2391.04-0.41
2010car0120.000240.5000.2391.04-2.00
1991pit390.333470.5710.4251.031.16
2012nor390.333470.5710.4251.03-0.38
1996sea390.333470.5710.4251.03-1.59
1996jax240.5007120.5830.5001.00-1.26
2000nyj480.500580.6250.5001.002.84
2006kan480.500580.6250.5001.000.73
1993pit6120.500340.7500.5001.000.63
2005mia480.500580.6250.5001.000.02
1998nwe480.500580.6250.5001.000.00
1993mia480.500580.6250.5001.00-0.25
2011nyg480.500580.6250.5001.00-1.03
1992was480.500580.6250.5001.00-1.75
2002nwe5100.500460.6670.5001.001.74
1994det360.5006100.6000.5001.000.58
2017oti360.5006100.6000.5001.000.33
1991rai360.5006100.6000.5001.000.17
2000gnb360.5006100.6000.5001.00-1.14
2016tam360.5006100.6000.5001.00-1.41
2008nyj5100.500460.6670.5001.00-1.84
1997pit690.667570.7140.5750.981.84
1998jax690.667570.7140.5750.980.48
2000den690.667570.7140.5750.98-0.61
2001mia690.667570.7140.5750.98-0.84
2007nwe12121.000441.0000.7610.96-0.07
2005clt11130.846331.0000.6880.941.47
2014den8110.727450.8000.6140.932.20
2014dal8110.727450.8000.6140.93-1.16
2015car991.000670.8570.7250.93-2.00
2012ram380.3754.580.5630.4470.92-1.00
1998den9100.900560.8330.6900.86-2.00
2010crd2100.200360.5000.3570.862.89
1993tam2100.200360.5000.3570.860.57
2004oti2100.200360.5000.3570.86-0.93
2015atl250.4006110.5450.4690.84-1.26
2016rav250.4006110.5450.4690.84-1.57
2005ram280.250480.5000.3950.841.42
1998was280.250480.5000.3950.84-0.02
1998rav280.250480.5000.3950.84-0.75
2013buf280.250480.5000.3950.84-1.03
2007car4110.364350.6000.4320.841.43
2007det4110.364350.6000.4320.84-0.96
2010nyg7120.583340.7500.5430.831.00
2013phi7120.583340.7500.5430.83-0.57
2003clt560.8337100.7000.6180.82-0.30
1994den140.2506120.5000.4330.800.61
2008cin2110.1822.550.5000.3410.801.25
2002chi060.0004100.4000.3240.76-0.33
2003nor370.429590.5560.4720.752.25
2002sdg370.429590.5560.4720.750.73
1990nor370.429590.5560.4720.750.16
2002atl470.5715.590.6110.5280.75-0.16
2016clt370.429590.5560.4720.75-0.25
2008htx370.429590.5560.4720.75-0.59
2004sfo0110.000250.4000.2500.751.68
1999cle0110.000250.4000.2500.750.71
2012kan0110.000250.4000.2500.75-0.86
2006crd170.143490.4440.3610.75-0.84
2007rav170.143490.4440.3610.75-1.70
2005tam570.714690.6670.5830.751.14
2011sfo780.875680.7500.6580.74-0.02
2005sea780.875680.7500.6580.74-0.42
1996den780.875680.7500.6580.74-0.70
1999clt780.875680.7500.6580.74-1.38
2003sdg190.111370.4290.3250.730.25
1997chi190.111370.4290.3250.73-0.25
2007kan190.111370.4290.3250.73-1.74
2010kan6100.600460.6670.5480.712.18
2005kan6100.600460.6670.5480.711.00
2000nor6100.600460.6670.5480.710.29
1990was6100.600460.6670.5480.71-0.07
2004gnb6100.600460.6670.5480.71-2.41
2000cle2150.133111.0000.2880.71-1.00
2008oti9110.818450.8000.6590.701.42
2011nor9110.818450.8000.6590.701.03
1990buf9110.818450.8000.6590.700.28
1997sfo9110.818450.8000.6590.700.14
2007dal9110.818450.8000.6590.70-0.29
2006chi9110.818450.8000.6590.70-0.33
2015crd9110.818450.8000.6590.70-1.92
1999cin2120.167240.5000.3260.700.32
1998phi080.000380.3750.2890.680.18
2009nyg490.444470.5710.4750.680.83
2011chi490.444470.5710.4750.68-0.57
1992den490.444470.5710.4750.68-3.26
1992sdg8120.667340.7500.5870.65-0.75
2013car790.778570.7140.6250.631.53
2006nwe790.778570.7140.6250.630.96
2003oti790.778570.7140.6250.630.86
2010pit790.778570.7140.6250.630.63
1994pit790.778570.7140.6250.63-0.07
2011pit790.778570.7140.6250.63-0.84
1998nyg5110.455350.6000.4770.612.86
2006gnb5110.455350.6000.4770.611.14
1995den5110.455350.6000.4770.610.74
2011nyj5110.455350.6000.4770.610.57
2009den5110.455350.6000.4770.61-0.63
2006pit5110.455350.6000.4770.61-2.73
2015rav040.0005120.4170.3670.600.84
2015rai260.3335100.5000.4410.593.25
2002rav260.3335100.5000.4410.590.16
2016gnb580.625580.6250.5530.582.38
2013crd580.625580.6250.5530.581.16
1997nwe580.625580.6250.5530.581.00
2012cin580.625580.6250.5530.580.16
2006nyj580.625580.6250.5530.58-0.82
1995det580.625580.6250.5530.58-0.98
2011det580.625580.6250.5530.58-1.47
2015mia3100.300360.5000.4050.573.59
2012nyj3100.300360.5000.4050.572.57
1994tam3100.300360.5000.4050.572.38
1994nyj3100.300360.5000.4050.57-0.28
1992atl3100.300360.5000.4050.57-0.58
2011gnb10101.000560.8330.7380.57-0.86
1996ram3100.300360.5000.4050.57-0.98
1990tam3100.300360.5000.4050.57-1.63
2009car6130.462230.6670.4790.561.04
1999chi150.2005110.4550.4060.531.76
2015chi150.2005110.4550.4060.53-1.63
2000crd1110.091250.4000.2950.521.25
1993ram3120.250240.5000.3700.52-0.25
2009min9120.750340.7500.6300.480.02
2014nwe9120.750340.7500.6300.48-0.26
1993oti9120.750340.7500.6300.48-1.74
2016nwe10110.909450.8000.7050.48-0.14
1999jax10110.909450.8000.7050.48-1.68
1997nyg690.6674.570.6430.5750.480.61
2014clt7100.700460.6670.5950.432.53
2016pit7100.700460.6670.5950.431.82
2017ram7100.700460.6670.5950.431.63
1992buf7100.700460.6670.5950.431.43
1999buf7100.700460.6670.5950.431.42
2002oti7100.700460.6670.5950.430.63
2007jax7100.700460.6670.5950.430.18
1991dal7100.700460.6670.5950.43-0.14
2009phi7100.700460.6670.5950.43-0.25
1993kan7100.700460.6670.5950.43-0.29
1992sea0100.000260.3330.2620.43-0.71
2015min7100.700460.6670.5950.43-1.29
2002car380.375480.5000.4470.423.00
2001nyg380.375480.5000.4470.422.00
2015det380.375480.5000.4470.421.96
2015ram380.375480.5000.4470.421.25
2014min380.375480.5000.4470.420.43
2002sea380.375480.5000.4470.42-0.25
1995car380.375480.5000.4470.42-0.30
2017cin380.375480.5000.4470.42-0.71
2014cle380.375480.5000.4470.42-1.14
2010mia380.375480.5000.4470.42-1.33
2017atl460.6676100.6000.5590.410.42
2012rav460.6676100.6000.5590.410.00
1991kan460.6676100.6000.5590.41-0.57
2010rav441.0008120.6670.6330.400.14
2009atl6110.545350.6000.5230.391.25
2008crd6110.545350.6000.5230.390.16
1994chi6110.545350.6000.5230.39-1.53
2012crd290.222370.4290.3750.380.58
1999atl290.222370.4290.3750.380.30
2016nyj290.222370.4290.3750.38-0.16
1996nyg4120.333240.5000.4130.350.48
2015was590.556470.5710.5250.331.25
2007tam590.556470.5710.5250.33-1.25
2000cin3140.214120.5000.3400.321.38
1996pit8130.615230.6670.5630.310.98
2000atl2110.182250.4000.3410.301.84
2012rai2110.182250.4000.3410.30-0.14
2003nyg2110.182250.4000.3410.30-0.58
1999sfo2110.182250.4000.3410.30-0.83
2002was4100.400360.5000.4520.29-0.47
2008buf4100.400360.5000.4520.29-1.33
2013nyg4100.400360.5000.4520.29-1.44
2001nor4100.400360.5000.4520.29-2.18
2001pit890.889570.7140.6750.281.21
1991buf890.889570.7140.6750.280.43
1990nyg890.889570.7140.6750.280.00
2007atl180.125380.3750.3420.261.58
1995jax180.125380.3750.3420.261.00
2010buf180.125380.3750.3420.26-0.58
2011oti470.571590.5560.5280.251.38
1997nyj470.571590.5560.5280.250.14
2016sea570.7145.590.6110.5830.25-1.25
2004sdg670.857690.6670.6390.25-2.38
2016kan670.857690.6670.6390.25-2.73
2005cle270.286490.4440.4170.251.68
2001buf070.000390.3330.3060.251.42
2001kan270.286490.4440.4170.25-2.53
2003jax160.1674100.4000.3820.183.53
2008jax160.1674100.4000.3820.182.18
2002dal160.1674100.4000.3820.182.00
2004rai160.1674100.4000.3820.18-0.14
1999phi160.1674100.4000.3820.18-0.38
2015jax160.1674100.4000.3820.18-1.82
2006was160.1674100.4000.3820.18-1.84
1992rai5120.417240.5000.4570.173.80
2007nor5120.417240.5000.4570.17-2.25
1997car5120.417240.5000.4570.17-3.16
2009crd7110.636350.6000.5680.160.86
2003rav7110.636350.6000.5680.16-0.29
2003den7110.636350.6000.5680.16-0.57
1992min680.750580.6250.6050.162.42
2013cin680.750580.6250.6050.161.33
2010nyj680.750580.6250.6050.160.61
1991nor680.750580.6250.6050.16-1.68
1999tam680.750580.6250.6050.16-1.75
2005dal350.6006110.5450.5310.16-0.17
1990cle1100.100260.3330.3100.14-1.16
2000rav8100.800460.6670.6430.142.00
2008nyg8100.800460.6670.6430.140.68
2011rav8100.800460.6670.6430.140.41
1998sfo8100.800460.6670.6430.140.30
1998nyj8100.800460.6670.6430.14-0.75
1993dal8100.800460.6670.6430.14-2.08
2004nwe11120.917340.7500.7170.132.00
2012jax090.000270.2860.2750.072.43
2008rai3110.273250.4000.3860.073.08
2017den3110.273250.4000.3860.07-0.41
2014jax2130.154130.3330.3130.060.18
1991clt0120.000140.2500.2390.043.03
2014ram390.333370.4290.4250.020.42
2006htx390.333370.4290.4250.020.00
2005rav390.333370.4290.4250.02-0.14
1990nyj390.333370.4290.4250.02-0.84
2006mia390.333370.4290.4250.02-0.93
2010min390.333370.4290.4250.02-2.47
1996cin480.500480.5000.5000.002.38
2006nyg5100.500360.5000.5000.002.00
1999det5100.500360.5000.5000.001.75
2004min360.5005100.5000.5000.001.61
1994crd360.5005100.5000.5000.001.25
2004cin480.500480.5000.5000.001.16
1995sea480.500480.5000.5000.001.03
1999gnb5100.500360.5000.5000.001.00
2013dal360.5005100.5000.5000.000.93
2006car480.500480.5000.5000.000.84
2007htx6120.500240.5000.5000.000.75
2001was5100.500360.5000.5000.000.29
1991min480.500480.5000.5000.000.16
1991nyg240.5006120.5000.5000.00-0.92
1999nwe360.5005100.5000.5000.00-1.41
2013rav360.5005100.5000.5000.00-1.86
1999car5100.500360.5000.5000.00-2.29
2015buf5100.500360.5000.5000.00-2.42
2012sfo9120.7502.540.6250.630-0.02-0.30
2011atl690.667470.5710.575-0.021.25
2006nor690.667470.5710.575-0.020.17
1997tam690.667470.5710.575-0.02-0.68
1999was690.667470.5710.575-0.02-1.59
1998min12121.000340.7500.761-0.04-1.60
1996gnb11130.846230.6670.688-0.06-0.14
1995pit8110.727350.6000.614-0.070.31
2001phi8110.727350.6000.614-0.07-1.14
2008nwe8110.727350.6000.614-0.07-2.26
1991was991.000570.7140.725-0.071.00
2006sdg991.000570.7140.725-0.07-0.52
2001ram991.000570.7140.725-0.07-1.00
1990pit8140.571120.5000.540-0.081.03
2002htx2100.200260.3330.357-0.141.76
2008cle2100.200260.3330.357-0.141.73
2006rav9100.900460.6670.690-0.140.75
2005nyj2100.200260.3330.357-0.140.58
2013cle2100.200260.3330.357-0.140.42
1992dal9100.900460.6670.690-0.140.14
2017nwe9100.900460.6670.690-0.14-0.07
2013rai2100.200260.3330.357-0.14-0.28
2005den9100.900460.6670.690-0.14-0.29
1997gnb9100.900460.6670.690-0.14-0.38
2005rai2100.200260.3330.357-0.14-0.48
2017phi9100.900460.6670.690-0.14-0.80
2011nwe9100.900460.6670.690-0.14-1.68
2013tam2100.200260.3330.357-0.14-2.25
2003atl280.250380.3750.395-0.161.58
1992tam280.250380.3750.395-0.160.86
2011jax280.250380.3750.395-0.160.07
1998det280.250380.3750.395-0.160.00
2012cle280.250380.3750.395-0.16-0.14
2011was280.250380.3750.395-0.16-0.25
2017nyj280.250380.3750.395-0.16-1.43
1995nwe4110.364250.4000.432-0.16-0.38
1990gnb4110.364250.4000.432-0.16-1.16
2017dal7120.583240.5000.543-0.173.59
2006dal7120.583240.5000.543-0.170.70
2009sea4130.308130.3330.396-0.191.16
2003nyj140.2505120.4170.433-0.20-0.84
2013nwe551.0007110.6360.656-0.220.48
1994cin060.0003100.3000.324-0.241.53
2002det060.0003100.3000.324-0.24-1.16
1990nwe0110.000150.2000.250-0.252.26
2009ram0110.000150.2000.250-0.25-1.00
1994ram170.143390.3330.361-0.252.86
1997crd170.143390.3330.361-0.252.59
2003sea570.714590.5560.583-0.252.42
2013gnb470.5714.590.5000.528-0.252.16
2010tam570.714590.5560.583-0.252.08
2004mia170.143390.3330.361-0.251.00
1998chi170.143390.3330.361-0.250.53
2000kan370.429490.4440.472-0.250.25
2017clt170.143390.3330.361-0.25-0.02
2007cle570.714590.5560.583-0.25-0.14
2011cle170.143390.3330.361-0.25-0.16
1996rav170.143390.3330.361-0.25-0.66
2012was570.714590.5560.583-0.25-0.74
2010clt570.714590.5560.583-0.25-0.86
1994mia570.714590.5560.583-0.25-1.03
2014nyj170.143390.3330.361-0.25-1.75
2010phi570.714590.5560.583-0.25-2.03
2001sfo780.875580.6250.658-0.262.75
2015nwe780.875580.6250.658-0.260.48
2000rai780.875580.6250.658-0.26-2.22
2014rai190.111270.2860.325-0.280.59
2005nor190.111270.2860.325-0.28-0.02
1993cin190.111270.2860.325-0.28-0.24
1995nyj190.111270.2860.325-0.28-2.28
2015htx6100.600360.5000.548-0.294.18
1994kan6100.600360.5000.548-0.292.16
2006den6100.600360.5000.548-0.291.57
2004rav6100.600360.5000.548-0.290.02
1999sea6100.600360.5000.548-0.29-0.58
2008dal6100.600360.5000.548-0.29-1.26
2013sfo9110.818350.6000.659-0.302.84
2004clt9110.818350.6000.659-0.300.94
1996car9110.818350.6000.659-0.300.17
2007cin490.444370.4290.475-0.330.80
2003chi490.444370.4290.475-0.33-0.43
2007chi490.444370.4290.475-0.33-0.59
1993nyg790.778470.5710.625-0.381.96
2001nwe790.778470.5710.625-0.381.00
1996nwe790.778470.5710.625-0.380.58
1990kan790.778470.5710.625-0.380.41
2015kan790.778470.5710.625-0.380.25
2005car790.778470.5710.625-0.380.00
1998gnb790.778470.5710.625-0.380.00
2000phi790.778470.5710.625-0.38-0.07
1994cle790.778470.5710.625-0.38-0.43
2014pit790.778470.5710.625-0.38-0.84
2013nor790.778470.5710.625-0.38-1.00
2006atl5110.455250.4000.477-0.390.26
2010det260.3334100.4000.441-0.410.58
1995was260.3334100.4000.441-0.41-0.42
2002den580.625480.5000.553-0.420.16
1999kan580.625480.5000.553-0.42-0.25
1993gnb580.625480.5000.553-0.42-0.42
2006sea580.625480.5000.553-0.42-0.84
1994gnb580.625480.5000.553-0.42-0.86
1996was580.625480.5000.553-0.42-0.92
2004chi3100.300260.3330.405-0.431.71
1995cle3100.300260.3330.405-0.43-0.25
1992cin3100.300260.3330.405-0.43-0.28
1990crd3100.300260.3330.405-0.43-0.93
2001min3100.300260.3330.405-0.43-1.16
2001dal150.2004110.3640.406-0.470.18
2003was150.2004110.3640.406-0.47-1.16
2002cin1110.091150.2000.295-0.482.53
2014oti1110.091150.2000.295-0.48-0.74
2006rai1110.091150.2000.295-0.48-1.16
2007sdg9120.750240.5000.630-0.52-3.75
2009nor10110.909350.6000.705-0.521.58
2017min10110.909350.6000.705-0.52-0.11
1994sfo10110.909350.6000.705-0.52-3.08
2008min450.8006110.5450.594-0.530.48
1994nwe450.8006110.5450.594-0.53-0.16
2014phi7100.700360.5000.595-0.571.84
2012chi7100.700360.5000.595-0.571.59
1992kan7100.700360.5000.595-0.570.43
2000ram7100.700360.5000.595-0.57-0.07
2004den7100.700360.5000.595-0.57-0.14
1998dal7100.700360.5000.595-0.57-3.38
2016cle0100.000160.1670.262-0.57-1.57
2000sea380.375380.3750.447-0.582.42
1990det380.375380.3750.447-0.581.65
1993atl380.375380.3750.447-0.581.25
1994sea380.375380.3750.447-0.580.00
2011buf380.375380.3750.447-0.58-0.71
2010htx380.375380.3750.447-0.58-0.84
2004nyg380.375380.3750.447-0.58-0.86
2004crd380.375380.3750.447-0.58-0.98
2011cin460.6675100.5000.559-0.590.58
2009htx460.6675100.5000.559-0.59-0.58
1995atl460.6675100.5000.559-0.59-0.74
2008chi460.6675100.5000.559-0.59-1.00
1997mia460.6675100.5000.559-0.59-1.38
1990sea460.6675100.5000.559-0.59-1.75
2014mia6110.545250.4000.523-0.610.57
2001den6110.545250.4000.523-0.61-0.42
1997rai290.222270.2860.375-0.632.84
2010den290.222270.2860.375-0.632.53
1992nyj290.222270.2860.375-0.63-0.75
1992chi4120.333140.2500.413-0.65-1.00
1997rav250.4004.5110.4090.469-0.660.84
1991mia590.556370.4290.525-0.682.33
1998oti590.556370.4290.525-0.682.16
1998tam590.556370.4290.525-0.680.16
2005atl590.556370.4290.525-0.68-0.39
1996mia590.556370.4290.525-0.68-0.59
2007clt881.000580.6250.711-0.683.25
2000oti881.000580.6250.711-0.681.25
2013sea881.000580.6250.711-0.68-1.14
1997den10120.833240.5000.674-0.700.86
2002tam10120.833240.5000.674-0.70-3.25
2009tam2110.182150.2000.341-0.70-0.25
2007ram2110.182150.2000.341-0.70-0.86
2014atl4100.400260.3330.452-0.710.84
2012buf4100.400260.3330.452-0.710.84
1992ram4100.400260.3330.452-0.710.52
1993sea4100.400260.3330.452-0.71-0.58
1996sfo890.889470.5710.675-0.730.70
2015cin890.889470.5710.675-0.73-2.18
2015oti180.125280.2500.342-0.741.75
1996nor180.125280.2500.342-0.741.38
1996atl180.125280.2500.342-0.741.25
2013was180.125280.2500.342-0.741.14
1991cin180.125280.2500.342-0.74-0.43
1991oti670.857590.5560.639-0.75-1.75
2011dal470.571490.4440.528-0.751.80
1999nyj470.571490.4440.528-0.751.00
1993nyj470.571490.4440.528-0.750.57
1995nyg270.286390.3330.417-0.750.35
1999rav470.571490.4440.528-0.750.14
1993sdg470.571490.4440.528-0.75-1.26
1995clt340.7506120.5000.567-0.802.59
2001tam340.7506120.5000.567-0.80-0.70
2007nyj160.1673100.3000.382-0.821.00
2013atl160.1673100.3000.382-0.82-0.71
2001clt5120.417140.2500.457-0.832.68
2000sfo5120.417140.2500.457-0.83-0.26
2016den7110.636250.4000.568-0.840.07
1997det7110.636250.4000.568-0.84-0.16
2002mia7110.636250.4000.568-0.84-1.38
1996phi680.750480.5000.605-0.842.25
2011htx680.750480.5000.605-0.842.16
2015pit680.750480.5000.605-0.840.43
2004nyj680.750480.5000.605-0.84-0.14
2007sea680.750480.5000.605-0.84-1.43
2007crd350.6005110.4550.531-0.840.39
1991nyj350.6005110.4550.531-0.84-0.63
2012pit350.6005110.4550.531-0.84-2.03
2011clt1100.100160.1670.310-0.864.59
2011ram1100.100160.1670.310-0.860.92
2008ram1100.100160.1670.310-0.86-0.25
1992nwe1100.100160.1670.310-0.86-1.20
2016sfo1100.100160.1670.310-0.86-1.33
2005nyg8100.800360.5000.643-0.860.00
1995gnb8100.800360.5000.643-0.86-0.06
2012gnb8100.800360.5000.643-0.86-0.25
2013kan8100.800360.5000.643-0.86-1.03
2009gnb8100.800360.5000.643-0.86-2.76
1992nyg6140.429020.0000.460-0.92-0.38
1997was580.6253.580.4380.553-0.920.84
2007mia090.000170.1430.275-0.932.25
2000sdg090.000170.1430.275-0.93-3.75
2005oti3110.273150.2000.386-0.932.53
1997sdg3110.273150.2000.386-0.931.22
2004cle3110.273150.2000.386-0.930.25
1991crd3110.273150.2000.386-0.93-1.16
2017htx3110.273150.2000.386-0.93-1.22
2008det0120.000040.0000.239-0.961.04
2005crd390.333270.2860.425-0.980.75
2000dal390.333270.2860.425-0.98-0.47
2017chi390.333270.2860.425-0.98-0.76
1996det390.333270.2860.425-0.98-0.84
1997ram390.333270.2860.425-0.98-1.98
2005det390.333270.2860.425-0.98-2.75
1993chi360.5004100.4000.500-1.000.39
2016nor240.5005120.4170.500-1.00-1.70
1994buf5100.500260.3330.500-1.004.03
1994phi480.500380.3750.500-1.002.00
2012mia480.500380.3750.500-1.001.59
2006buf480.500380.3750.500-1.001.57
2002ram480.500380.3750.500-1.001.43
2009chi480.500380.3750.500-1.001.41
2014nor480.500380.3750.500-1.001.25
1996chi480.500380.3750.500-1.000.73
2013ram6120.500140.2500.500-1.000.02
1993cle480.500380.3750.500-1.00-0.38
1998kan480.500380.3750.500-1.00-0.42
1995nor480.500380.3750.500-1.00-0.74
2010ram5100.500260.3330.500-1.00-0.86
2004htx6120.500140.2500.500-1.00-1.28
2001cle5100.500260.3330.500-1.00-1.53
2017sdg690.667370.4290.575-1.031.43
2012nyg690.667370.4290.575-1.030.29
2014buf690.667370.4290.575-1.030.00
2002nyj690.667370.4290.575-1.03-0.20
2014kan690.667370.4290.575-1.03-0.38
1995mia690.667370.4290.575-1.03-0.68
2017det690.667370.4290.575-1.03-1.39
2015gnb8110.727250.4000.614-1.070.58
2017jax8110.727250.4000.614-1.07-1.58
2001gnb9100.900360.5000.690-1.142.16
2002phi9100.900360.5000.690-1.141.16
2014sea9100.900360.5000.690-1.14-2.73
1999nor2100.200160.1670.357-1.140.71
2015cle2100.200160.1670.357-1.14-0.57
2017nyg2100.200160.1670.357-1.14-1.20
2004was250.4004110.3640.469-1.16-1.18
2002min250.4004110.3640.469-1.16-1.35
1991cle250.4004110.3640.469-1.16-1.61
1991gnb280.250280.2500.395-1.161.61
2015dal280.250280.2500.395-1.161.25
2009kan280.250280.2500.395-1.160.71
2007rai280.250280.2500.395-1.160.07
1992crd280.250280.2500.395-1.16-4.18
2005buf4110.364150.2000.432-1.16-1.00
2003det4110.364150.2000.432-1.16-1.25
1998buf560.8335100.5000.618-1.180.43
2005was560.8335100.5000.618-1.180.18
2012den12130.923130.3330.729-1.19-1.75
1993nwe140.2504120.3330.433-1.20-0.53
2001det060.0002100.2000.324-1.24-0.24
1998clt170.143290.2220.361-1.250.74
1997dal370.429390.3330.472-1.25-0.57
2004det370.429390.3330.472-1.25-0.98
2006min370.429390.3330.472-1.25-1.42
2001jax370.429390.3330.472-1.25-2.84
2013sdg570.714490.4440.583-1.251.68
2008tam570.714490.4440.583-1.25-0.70
2017sea570.714490.4440.583-1.25-1.18
1994sdg780.875480.5000.658-1.261.68
1992phi780.875480.5000.658-1.261.59
1997jax780.875480.5000.658-1.260.98
2016atl780.875480.5000.658-1.260.41
2009dal780.875480.5000.658-1.26-2.84
2005htx190.111170.1430.325-1.280.02
2010rai6100.600260.3330.548-1.293.75
2016min6100.600260.3330.548-1.29-0.52
1997oti6100.600260.3330.548-1.29-0.68
1995rai6100.600260.3330.548-1.29-4.75
2002rai9110.818250.4000.659-1.30-1.75
2003pit490.444270.2860.475-1.331.86
2017sfo490.444270.2860.475-1.330.26
2009buf490.444270.2860.475-1.330.26
1996tam490.444270.2860.475-1.33-0.02
2011mia490.444270.2860.475-1.33-1.00
1999pit490.444270.2860.475-1.33-1.57
2003min8120.667140.2500.587-1.350.00
1998mia790.778370.4290.625-1.381.75
2003mia790.778370.4290.625-1.38-0.25
2000clt790.778370.4290.625-1.38-0.83
2006phi790.778370.4290.625-1.38-1.42
2010sfo5110.455150.2000.477-1.390.74
2010oti5110.455150.2000.477-1.390.25
2003buf5110.455150.2000.477-1.39-1.57
2010cle260.3333100.3000.441-1.41-0.25
2000nwe260.3333100.3000.441-1.41-0.38
2017tam260.3333100.3000.441-1.41-0.75
1995min580.625380.3750.553-1.421.75
1998sea580.625380.3750.553-1.42-0.29
2007min580.625380.3750.553-1.42-0.53
1996oti580.625380.3750.553-1.42-1.29
2011sdg580.625380.3750.553-1.42-2.29
2007phi580.625380.3750.553-1.42-3.23
2008sea3100.300160.1670.405-1.43-0.19
2014nyg6130.462030.0000.479-1.44-2.84
2012det150.2003110.2730.406-1.47-1.75
2015sdg150.2003110.2730.406-1.47-3.75
1995dal10110.909250.4000.705-1.521.33
1995chi450.8005110.4550.594-1.53-1.00
2002cle450.8005110.4550.594-1.53-2.25
2000pit7100.700260.3330.595-1.570.28
2017cle0100.000060.0000.262-1.570.25
2014htx7100.700260.3330.595-1.57-0.29
2004buf7100.700260.3330.595-1.57-1.16
2010sdg7100.700260.3330.595-1.57-1.42
2017rav7100.700260.3330.595-1.57-1.86
2000was460.6674100.4000.559-1.590.00
1997sea460.6674100.4000.559-1.59-1.42
1999min441.0006120.5000.633-1.601.58
1992cle6110.545150.2000.523-1.61-1.00
1991tam290.222170.1430.375-1.63-0.16
2016chi290.222170.1430.375-1.63-0.98
2000jax590.556270.2860.525-1.68-1.25
2011sea590.556270.2860.525-1.68-1.76
1992nor881.000480.5000.711-1.681.42
2012nwe881.000480.5000.711-1.68-0.22
2017nor10120.833140.2500.674-1.701.14
2008rav10120.833140.2500.674-1.70-2.38
2000mia890.889370.4290.675-1.730.98
2008kan180.125180.1250.342-1.74-1.16
1994oti180.125180.1250.342-1.74-3.84
1992oti670.857490.4440.639-1.750.48
2015nyj670.857490.4440.639-1.750.38
2000tam670.857490.4440.639-1.75-0.80
2013den11111.000250.4000.750-1.750.93
2013det470.571390.3330.528-1.752.33
2009was270.286290.2220.417-1.751.60
2004kan470.571390.3330.528-1.750.71
1991sea470.571390.3330.528-1.750.43
2003rai270.286290.2220.417-1.750.18
2012tam470.571390.3330.528-1.75-0.14
2010cin270.286290.2220.417-1.75-0.59
1993was270.286290.2220.417-1.75-2.75
2012sea661.0005100.5000.676-1.76-0.68
2013htx050.0002110.1820.344-1.78-1.57
2016jax160.1672100.2000.382-1.82-1.07
2014chi5120.417040.0000.457-1.830.53
2007was680.750380.3750.605-1.842.53
2009nyj680.750380.3750.605-1.840.16
2003gnb8100.800260.3330.643-1.860.71
2014rav8100.800260.3330.643-1.860.60
2016crd580.6252.580.3130.553-1.922.84
1998ram390.333170.1430.425-1.98-2.31
2016car480.500280.2500.500-2.003.00
1999den360.5003100.3000.500-2.000.98
1990min480.500280.2500.500-2.000.00
2011car5100.500160.1670.500-2.00-3.84
2011phi690.667270.2860.575-2.031.68
2006cin690.667270.2860.575-2.03-0.33
2013pit690.667270.2860.575-2.03-0.38
1990oti8110.727150.2000.614-2.07-0.75
1994dal991.000370.4290.725-2.08-1.52
2005pit9100.900260.3330.690-2.140.61
1997clt280.250180.1250.395-2.16-1.25
2016cin590.5561.570.2140.525-2.180.42
2002nor560.8334100.4000.618-2.180.75
2001rai551.0005110.4550.656-2.22-1.30
2014tam170.143190.1110.361-2.252.26
1990den370.429290.2220.472-2.251.47
1990atl370.429290.2220.472-2.251.25
2003cle370.429290.2220.472-2.25-0.93
2008nor570.714390.3330.583-2.25-0.52
2009nwe780.875380.3750.658-2.261.30
1996nyj190.111070.0000.325-2.280.25
2004car6100.600160.1670.548-2.29-0.38
2012sdg6100.600160.1670.548-2.29-1.25
2000car6100.600160.1670.548-2.29-2.74
1993sfo9110.818150.2000.659-2.30-0.52
1999ram13131.000030.0000.771-2.31-0.57
1992det490.444170.1430.475-2.332.68
1990ram490.444170.1430.475-2.331.08
2009rav790.778270.2860.625-2.380.40
2005sdg790.778270.2860.625-2.38-0.07
1991sdg260.3332100.2000.441-2.410.65
2005gnb260.3332100.2000.441-2.410.61
2016buf580.625280.2500.553-2.421.68
2003sfo580.625280.2500.553-2.420.75
2011min150.2002110.1820.406-2.472.00
2002kan450.8004110.3640.594-2.531.63
1990sdg6110.545050.0000.523-2.61-2.41
2007pit890.889270.2860.675-2.731.16
2015sea890.889270.2860.675-2.730.25
2017kan890.889270.2860.675-2.73-1.25
2001car180.125080.0000.342-2.740.42
2006det270.286190.1110.417-2.750.84
1994was270.286190.1110.417-2.75-0.41
1990phi661.0004100.4000.676-2.761.33
2010gnb661.0004100.4000.676-2.760.57
2009sfo680.750280.2500.605-2.84-1.39
2015nyg350.6003110.2730.531-2.842.16
2002jax350.6003110.2730.531-2.840.18
2010dal350.6003110.2730.531-2.84-0.75
1999rai331.0005130.3850.607-2.89-0.26
2004tam360.5002100.2000.500-3.000.75
2016phi690.667170.1430.575-3.03-0.14
1995sfo991.000270.2860.725-3.08-0.73
1998car250.4002110.1820.469-3.160.00
2009pit551.0004110.3640.656-3.220.63
2008phi890.8891.570.2140.675-3.230.43
2003tam570.714290.2220.583-3.25-3.00
1993den780.875280.2500.658-3.260.80
1999dal790.778170.1430.625-3.38-0.98
2008gnb580.625180.1250.553-3.42-0.86
1991sfo881.000280.2500.711-3.681.28
2008sdg670.857290.2220.639-3.751.63
2006jax670.857290.2220.639-3.750.43
2001sdg470.571190.1110.528-3.750.75
2016sdg470.571190.1110.528-3.75-1.03
2012car680.750180.1250.605-3.840.63
1995oti680.750180.1250.605-3.84-1.42
1993crd560.8332100.2000.618-4.180.00
1996rai670.857190.1110.639-4.75-0.63

Finally, here is the 2018 data: The Cowboys had 2 non-close wins last year in 6 games, for a 0.333 winning percentage in non-close games. But in close games, Dallas won 8 out of 10 games, a 0.800 winning percentage. We would have expected Dallas to win about 44.1% of their non-close games, so by going 8-2, Dallas finished 3.59 wins above expectation, most in the league last year.

YearTeamNCG WinsNCGNCG W%CG WinsCGCG W%Exp CG W%Diff
2018dal260.3338100.8000.4413.59
2018mia2100.200560.8330.3572.86
2018was3110.273450.8000.3862.07
2018ram790.778670.8570.6251.63
2018rai1110.091350.6000.2951.52
2018sdg7100.700560.8330.5951.43
2018nor8100.800560.8330.6431.14
2018buf3100.300360.5000.4050.57
2018atl380.375480.5000.4470.42
2018oti590.556470.5710.5250.33
2018sfo180.125380.3750.3420.26
2018cle370.4294.590.5000.4720.25
2018crd1100.100260.3330.3100.14
2018clt690.667470.5710.575-0.02
2018nwe8110.727350.6000.614-0.07
2018min6110.5452.550.5000.523-0.11
2018pit340.7506.5120.5420.567-0.30
2018den260.3334100.4000.441-0.41
2018cin4100.400260.3330.452-0.71
2018gnb370.4293.590.3890.472-0.75
2018tam270.286390.3330.417-0.75
2018chi661.0006100.6000.676-0.76
2018phi340.7506120.5000.567-0.80
2018sea560.8335100.5000.618-1.18
2018nyg140.2504120.3330.433-1.20
2018htx551.0006110.5450.656-1.22
2018kan771.000590.5560.694-1.25
2018det5110.455150.2000.477-1.39
2018nyj3100.300160.1670.405-1.43
2018jax380.375280.2500.447-1.58
2018rav8100.800260.3330.643-1.86
2018car570.714290.2220.583-3.25
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