NFL standings ordered by point differential: Packers higher than expected

The Green Bay Packers have lost four of their past five games, including three in a row.

However, outside of the loss to the Detroit Lions, their other three defeats were by a combined seven points. Although the Packers haven't played good football, they are at least keeping games close with a chance to win.

Wins and losses are the currency that matters most in the NFL, but those records are occasionally skewed. Looking at other statistics can provide additional context to the standings.

For example, the Minnesota Vikings won the NFC North last season with a 13-4 record, but when watching them, it didn't feel like they were a 13-win team. And there's a reason for that. Minnesota was a perfect 11-0 in one-score games but had a negative point differential, meaning the team allowed more points than it scored. Hard to believe for a 13-4 team.

The Vikings' luck ran out in the playoffs when the New York Giants handed them a 31-24 loss in the wild-card round.

Teams at the top of their divisions don't necessarily have a better point differential. The NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons have the third-best point differential in their division.

Point differential isn't the be-all and end-all, either, as one result can significantly influence it.

Not including their loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos have been outscored 147-128 in their other six games, a point differential of -19. However, due to a 70-20 loss to Miami -- a -50 swing -- it will take a lot of winning to swing the point differential into the positive.

But it provides another interesting perspective on top of the win/loss column. Here's how the NFL standings would look entering Week 8 if they were based on point differential.

2023 NFL standings by point differential (Division)

Only five of the eight division leaders have the best point differential. The Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints have better point differentials than their division leaders.

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

2023 NFL standings by point differential (Conference)

Here is a look at the conference standings based on point differential. The Packers are struggling with a 2-4 overall record, but their point differential is far better than many teams at the bottom of the NFC.

AFC

NFC

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