Parity Shmarity

When this image spread around the internet, a lot of people thought this season would be different. Suddenly, every team was a contender. The Lions weren't in last place. The Colts had actually lost a few. The Chiefs almost looked like the team to beat.



Now that we're in the home stretch, the play-offs look as predictable as ever. As of right now, six of the twelve teams (Pats, Jets, Colts, Ravens, Eagles, Saints) were in the play-offs last year. Three more of the teams (Steelers, Falcons, Giants) were in the play-offs two years ago. While it's impressive that teams like the Rams, Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Raiders still have a shot at a play-off slot, overall, this season is shaping up to be more like every other season.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Ten weeks in, any well-conditioned team could have a winning record. Sixteen weeks in, that's where the elite teams rise to the top. Just look at the Colts. They've been middling all season, but just this last week, they beat the Jaguars and jumped to the top of their division. Unless you're the 2008 Lions, any team can win a football game. The concept of parity is ridiculous. The Browns beating the Patriots doesn't mean it's anyone's season. It just means the Pats had an off week. I'll tell you, though, New England hasn't had an off week since.

That's the difference between play-off teams and everyone else. Not any team can go sixteen weeks, then up to four post-season games. If everyone likes parity so much, why is the league considering extending the season? I promise you, by the end of a longer schedule, parity will be the last thing we see. In a longer season, the teams that are still holding onto play-off hopes this year would be lucky if their starters can survive to the post-season. On the other hand, maybe no team can play eighteen weeks. Maybe by that point every team will suck.

Go parity!