TODAY’S SPORTSTAT: Parity rules in NFL

By JERRY TAPP

If you are an NFL fan who likes parity and close games, then you have to like what has happened in the league through the first 14 games (15 weeks) of this season.

Consider this:

Of the 224 games that have been played in the NFL through Week 15 (games through December 17), 121 games have been decided by one score — eight points or less.

If you add the fact that there have been two games that ended in a tie, that brings that number to 123. That means 123 of the 224 games played so far in 2018, or 55%, have been decided by one score.

There have been a few teams that have lost each of their games this year by eight points or less. Topping the list are the Seattle Seahawks. They have lost six games this season, all by eight points or less. Their losses have been by 3, 7, 2, 8, 5 and 3 points.

The Carolina Panthers top the league this season with the most losses by eight points or less this year with seven.

Here’s a look at what percentage of losses each NFL team has suffered this season by eight points or less.

100% — Seattle (6 of 6);Chicago (4 of 4); Houston (4 of 4); Kansas City (3 of 3); New Orleans (2 of 2)

88% — Carolina (7 of 8)

86%: Philadelphia (6 of 7)

80% — Pittsburgh (4 of 5)

75% — Denver (6 of 8);Green Bay (6 of 8)

67% — N.Y. Giants (6 of 9); Baltimore (4 of 6); Indianapolis (4 of 6);

60%   Jacksonville (6 of10)

55%: Tampa Bay (5 of 9)

50% — N.Y. Jets (5 of 10); San Francisco (5 of 10); Dallas (3 of 6); Tennessee (3 of 6)

44% —  Atlanta (4 of 9);Detroit (4 of 9)

43% — Cleveland (3 of 7)

40% — New England (2 of 5)

37% — Cincinnati (3 of 8)

33% — Buffalo (3 of 9);Minnesota (2 of 6); L.A. Chargers (1 of 3); L.A. Rams (1 of 3)

29% — Washington (2 of 7)

27% — Arizona (3 of 11); Oakland(3 of 11)

14% — Miami (1 of 7)

The most one-score losses the Packers have had in a season are eight. That happened in 2005 when the team suffered eight of their 12 losses by eight points or less. They lost seven one-score games in 2008 and lost six one-score games in 1984, 1991 and 2010 (in addition to this season).

The 1984 Cleveland Browns hold the NFL record for most losses by four points or less in a season with eight. New England (1993), Houston (1994), Carolina (2001) and the 2008 Packers are tied for second with seven losses by four points or less in a season. This year’s Pack has three losses by four points or less.

Follow Jerry on Twitter @StatsonTapp