Best to worst NFL teams of 2016 against the spread

The Patriots have consistently performed well in Vegas during Bill Belichick's coaching career, and this season was no exception. The team went 3-1 both in Vegas and on the field during Tom Brady's Deflategate suspension, and their only other losses against the spread were their 31-24 loss to Seattle and five point victory in late November vs. the Jets.

The high-scoring Saints had far more success against the spread than their actual performance on the field.They had an impressive late push, going 3-0 over the final three weeks of the season against the spread.

The Raiders had a very successful regular season, exceeding expectations both on the field and against the spread. Since their game against Jacksonville on October 23, the Raiders are 7-3 against the spread.

America's Team has earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs after a 13-3 regular season, and they were quite streaky against the spread. The Cowboys won against the spread in nine straight weeks starting in Week 2. That streak was followed by four consecutive losses against the spread and a 1-5 record to close out the year in Vegas.

Atlanta's elite offense earned them the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, and also earned many sharp bettors money in Vegas. Behind Matt Ryan's arm, the Falcons went on an impressive five-game winning streak against the spread starting in Week 2.

Washington choked their way out of the playoffs with a Week 17 loss to the Giants but still had a strong year against the spread with two four-game winning streaks. Kirk Cousins and the Skins impressed for much of the year after their NFC East division title in 2015.

The enigmatic Packers were tough to read for much of the season, but they certainly closed out the year strong. They finished out the year with a six-game winning streak on the field, and won five of those games against the spread as the defense finally started to show up.

First-year head coach Adam Gase was a true difference maker for the Dolphins on the field after a lackluster 1-4 start to their season. The team nearly matched their on-field 10-6 record in Vegas, going 9-2 in their last 11 games and 8-3 over that time against the spread.

Andy Reid's Chiefs were underestimated again, and now have a first round bye in the playoffs after earning the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They finished out the year 10-2 on the field, and won five of their last six games against the spread, winning outright as underdogs in two of those games.

An upgraded defense worked wonders for the Giants, who return to the playoffs as a Wild Card this season. They had a strong finish on the field and in Vegas, winning three of their last four games against the spread despite failing to score 20 points in any of those wins.

The Steelers are always considered a dangerous playoff team, and this year is no exception after winning their final seven regular season games. During that winning streak, Ben Roethlisberger and company were 5-2 against the spread, with their only losses coming over the final two games.

Denver had a disappointing year, especially after starting 4-0 on the field and against the spread. Incredibly, the team's on-field wins and wins against the spread were the exact same in each game, finishing 9-7 on both sides of the ledger.

The Vikes had very high hopes after starting the year 5-0 both on the field and against the spread, but that streak was followed by four losses. They did finish out the year 9-7 against the spread but were only .500 on the field.

Tampa Bay showed major growth on the field, finishing with a winning record. They also had a winning record against the spread, including a six-game winning streak late in the year.

Detroit backed into the playoffs after a three-game losing streak, and they've lost four consecutive games against the spread. Perhaps it's a bad omen that the Lions are 0-5 this season against playoff teams on the field and against the spread.

The Eagles won their first three games of the year, as well as their last two, but in between they were 2-9. Their record against the spread nearly mirrors those results, and four of their eight wins against the spread came against eventual playoff teams.

Losing has become a way of life for the Jags, who finished the year 3-13 and searching for a new head coach. However, they surged late in the year against the spread, winning their final three games of the season, all against divisional opponents.

Seattle enters the playoffs with a 10-5-1 record, but haven't exactly looked rock solid late in the year following several notable injuries. They were even more frustrating in Vegas, finishing out the year 2-3 against the spread over their last five games.

The 8-8 Colts won consecutive games only once during the regular season, and that was also their only positive streak against the spread. Four of their seven wins against the spread were on-field wins by at least one touchdown.

Baltimore missed the playoffs again in a very up and down year. They closed out the season 1-3 both on the field and against the spread, and their only win against the spread during their time was their division-deciding loss to Pittsburgh in Week 16.

Cincinnati had quite a regression on the field, finishing well out of the playoffs at 6-9-1. They started the year 3-8 against the spread, but were able to claim four of their last five games with some big wins and close losses.

Titans fans could be happy with their improvement to 9-7, seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Tennessee still had a losing record against the spread, but did beat the spread in three of their final four contests.

Injuries hurt the Chargers, but that excuse has been all too familiar. They finished out the year 0-5 on the field and against the spread, including a loss to the previously winless Browns.

Head coach John Fox will retain his job despite a 3-13 season, but the Bears did go on an odd five-game winning streak against the spread late in the year that features four on-field losses by less than one touchdown.

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien has finished the season 9-7 for the third straight year, claiming the lowly AFC South for the second consecutive season. The Texans actually have a winning record against the spread during his tenure, but that certainly wasn't the case this season, losing six of seven to end the year against the spread.

The defending NFC Champs had a very disappointing year that's reflected in their record against the spread. On the bright side, they did win three of their last four games against the spread.

The Bills finish against the spread was even more miserable than their finish on the field, going 2-8 over their final 10 games in Vegas.

A losing record against the spread is often a sign of a disappointing team, and that was certainly the case for the Cardinals this year. Their year against the spread was headlined by a midseason 0-5 losing streak.

The Jets regressed after a winning season in 2015, and their season featured the biggest spread of the year: 17-point underdogs vs. the Patriots in Week 16. Of course, the Pats won that game by 38 points.

Believe it or not, the 49ers actually had a strong finish against the spread, winning their final two games of the year. Their only two wins on the field came against the Rams.

The Rams eventful year included a move from St. Louis to LA and the eventual firing of head coach Jeff Fisher. After starting the 3-1 on the field and against the spread, the Rams won only one game on the field and in Vegas the rest of the way.

A Week 16 win against San Diego prevented the Browns from going winless, and they also finished out the season with two wins against the spread. The Browns are 12 games below .500 against the spread over the last two seasons.