The Total Team Behavior Score is used by us at Football Behavior to measure, with precision, which teams had the best seasons, overall, accounting for key environmental contexts.

We do this by combining three key metrics that are rooted in three of the areas players and coaches care about the most for measuring internal success. The three metrics measure key elements of every team’s Applied Scoring Behavior (scoring behavior and score prevention behavior) and determining their overall season score. It is a combination of geometric means, growth rates, and consistency scores. 

The exact process and methodology can be found here. Below you will find the list of all 32 teams ranked in the order of their Total Team Behavior Score throughout the 2023-2024 season. Our FREE Newsletter subscribers received this data, along with their individual rankings in the three metrics that make up the score.   

1. 49ers

2. Rams

3. Chiefs

4. Buccaneers

5. Ravens

6. Cowboys

7. Saints

8. Bills

9. Texans

10. Packers

11. Lions, 13.00 

12. Broncos, 12.82 

13. Seahawks, 12.55

14. Dolphins, 11.12

15. Colts, 8.29 

16. Falcons, 8.08

17. Steelers, 7.07 

18. Eagles, 6.96 

19. Bengals, 6.66 

20. Bears, 6.25

21. Jaguars, 6.22

22. Browns, 6.14

23. Chargers, 6.13

24. Vikings, 6.06

25. Cardinals, 5.24

26. Titans, 4.82

27. Raiders, 4.69

28. Jets, 2.55

29. Commanders, 2.28

30. Patriots, 1.64 

31. Giants, 0.60

32. Panthers, -2.25

The Total Team Behavior Score provides us valuable insights into which teams truly had successful seasons, who the best all around teams were, and and what it could mean for next year.

My three big takeaways are below. What are yours? Leave a comment and let us know!

1. For a second consecutive year, the top teams from each conference in TTBS met in the Super Bowl. In 2022, the Chiefs were number one overall in TTBS, and the Eagles were third, but were the best team in the NFC. They met in the Super Bowl.

In 2023, the 49ers were the best team in TTBS and the Chiefs were third, but were the best team in the AFC. They met in the Super Bowl.

TTBS has been very predictive as to who the best teams are. As a part of our full playoff simulation, run before the playoffs began, we predicted a Chiefs-49ers matchup bound for overtime. We told our FREE newsletter subscribers on January 9th, to expect that matchup and a Chiefs victory.

Excerpt from January 9th, 2024 Free Newsletter to Football Behavior Subscribers

Not only that, but 11 of the top 14 teams in TTBS in 2023 made the post season, and 11 of the top 14 teams in 2022 made the postseason. TTBS has proven to be a strong indicator of who the best teams truly are.

2. The Rams May Be Set Up To Take On The West. The Rams finished second overall in TTBS this year. They were buoyed by an 8% overall improvement in the Improvement Index, and finishing as the most consistent Applied Scoring Behavior team in the NFL.

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for them. Truth be told, if not for some officiating shenanigans at the end of their final drive in the wild card round against the Lions, it could have been them we saw in the NFC Championship game against the 49ers.

Sean McVay is a top 3 head coach in the NFL. With strong numbers in their behavior metrics, and if they can build on an already strong environment with minimal losses, they could be poised to be an NFC contender for the next several years, as early as next year.

3. Buccaneers Hope To Be In The Same Conversation. Todd Bowles was our pick to be coach of the year. They finished 4th overall in TTBS, with 6.67% overall improvement in their Applied Scoring Behavior, the third most consistent team in the NFL, and the 7th best Margin For Error Score.

The Bucs were also supposedly in a rebuilding year. They overhauled their entire offensive staff from the year before and switched out their aging quarterback who had already checked out. It paid dividends.

However, unlike the Rams, there are expected to be significant environmental changes that could impact their ability to continue growing on such a strong season. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales has already been hired as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, so again they are facing environmental change on the side of the ball. It is also seeming to be unlikely at best that Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans returns to the team, following yet another strong 1,000+ yard season.

Withstanding environmental change is the hardest part about year to year success in the NFL. This offseason will prove to be monumental in seeing if Tampa can take the next step.