Thread: How NFL Teams Balance Cap Spending Between Offense and Defense.............

16	Chargers4-4	$40.300458	$30.222392	$70.522850	The Chargers hold a top 10 offensive cap, and a bottom 10 defensive cap. Pricey offseason free agent signings haven't improved their play, and a young defense needs time to mature.
17	Rams3-5	$36.421662	$34.074777	$70.496439	The Rams had the unfortunate luck of drafting Sam Bradford a year before the Rookie Cap System went into place. Half-way through a $78 million contract, the team is horribly limited in how it can build for the immediate future.
18	Jets3-5	$26.658201	$42.575350	$69.233551	Injuries have decimated the Jets starting lineup dropping their financial numbers to shockingly low per NY sports standards. That being said, the current regime may not survive the offseason, and a contractual fire sale may be in order.
19	Buccaneers4-4	$38.643158	$29.947642	$68.590800	Tampa Bay epitomizes the notion of "filling holes by way of the draft". This homegrown lineup, mixed in with savvy offseason signings is a great value for a division that has lowered itself around them.
20	Redskins3-6	$31.690669	$34.054763	$65.745432	The offensive line is hurt, the top receiver is hurt, the top tight end is hurt, 3 of the major defenisve starters are hurt. When healthy, the Redskins are a top 10 starting cap ranked team. They're making the best of the roster they have.
21	Packers6-3	$36.053712	$29.672260	$65.725972	This "small market" team is as impressive as ever. Their solution? Quality Quantities at reduced prices. Nelson, Jones, Cobb, and Driver cost Green Bay less than $10M in 2012. So does Rodgers. Their highest paid position is at linebacker, where they've been certain to pay their young talent. This is a dream model as far as long-term, elite franchises go.
22	Bengals3-5	$29.296308	$35.859200	$65.155508	The Bengals refuse to pay for elite offense, and continue to patch together has-been veterans on defense. The result is an inbalanced, inconsistent product.
23	Bills3-5	$24.566061	$39.820166	$64.386227	The BIlls put maximum offseason dollars into improving the defense, and adequate effort in securing their offensive core. But it's much of the same in the win column for Buffalo, who can't seem to get the most out of even the most elite talent.
24	Seahawks5-4	$40.561055	$23.683911	$64.244966	The 7th most costly offense isn't exactly running up the scoreboard, but their efficiency has them contending. Only the Titans spend less on a starting defensive lineup right now.
25	Panthers2-6	$30.268676	$32.383384	$62.652060	Carolina has an awful lot invested in three starting running backs, and an underperforming pass rush. While their four starting receivers, and entire secondary currently cost then under $7M respectively.
26	Cardinals4-5	$27.524315	$34.937547	$62.461862	With Kolb out of the lineup, 62% of the offensive costs go to the receiving core - most notably Fitzgerald. The Cardinals have done well to secure a great defense at a reasonable price (16th ranked).
27	Patriots5-3	$30.650392	$29.624232	$60.274624	It's hard not to marvel at the Patriots franchise, who continue to succeed at a high level by interchanging the players around their main core. New England spends big on both offensive and defensive lines, and in the linebacking core - keeping the other positions at a fairly reasonable cost for the level they perform.
28	Titans3-6	$38.111569	$21.700288	$59.811857	The Titans have dedicated the least amount of money to their defense in 2012, and it's showing. Their current defensive front comes in under $10M, less than Chris Johnson's 2012 cap hit alone.
29	Browns2-7	$30.929416	$26.310766	$57.240182	This young offense just isn't there yet as far as on-field production is concerned. The reality though is that Holgrem established a pretty balanced financial plan prior to defensive injuries (and suspension) set in this season. Another good draft might project the Browns to the next level.
30	Jaguars1-7	$29.529532	$26.255240	$55.784772	The poor get poorer. At least the miserable 1-7 performance isn't costing the franchise much. With MJD out of the lineup the numbers drop sharply. Marcedes Lewis is the highest paid offensive started right now. Enough said?

31	Raiders3-5	$19.505907	$25.106975	$44.612882	The Raiders have given away draft picks like they're VCRs in the past few years. But the return result is actually a solid product on the field. Offensive injuries have depleted the weapons around Carson Palmer nearly all season, as the #2 lowest offensive cost indicates. But when they're clicking, this is a team on the rise.
32	Colts5-3	$13,476,022	$28,284,837	$41,760,859	The lowest current starting cap has a 5-3 record. Luck holds the highest offensive cap hit in 2012 at $4.5M. 67% of the starting defensive cap goes to Dwight Freeny. This is a dream season for owner Jim Irsay and the whole Colts' franchise.

Although it never will end the talk about the Bears being "cheapskates" at the very least this shows that they have a significant investment in front line players and are trying to win a title with that talent.

Interesting chart, Soul.

Apparently the Chiefs are a statistical anomaly in this case, and the Lions are a decent enough team, but still have issues. Other then those 2, looks like the rest of the top 10 are playoff bound, and its no surprise that the top 3 have probably the best 3 D's in the league. Just goes to show...dont need to Overpay your guys, but a balanced approach is required. Offense may sell tickets, but defense wins you championships.

I hate the praise the Packers get...

Colts impress me this year. Start to like them