afc has no parity

[CR91]

Since 1997 only two teams not named broncos ravens patriots Steelers or colts have represented the AFC in the super bowl

[Moose Of Woe]

For the most part those teams all had consistently good/great defenses and good/great QB's. If not both then one or the other.

 

Most teams in the AFC lack either.

[Fx Stryker]

So you're telling me 7 different AFC teams made the Super Bowl in 16 years. That's almost half. Completely one sided.

[Surge89]

This is changing.  You can see it already.

 

The Rookie salary cap is barely having its effect on the NFL.  But you are noticing ALL teams are having their share of talent and teams can now afford to miss on a #1 pick and still be relevant.  Balance is making its way just the bottom teams needed some years to recover from all of those huge #1 overall contracts.

[-JJ-]

No, there's is parity.  There is just as much talent on those other teams or at least the chance for them to have it- in fact they have the edge with higher draft picks. It's not the winning teams' fault because they draft better, manage better or get good coaches.

 

Parity never was meant to guarantee a different winner every year- just that each team has the opportunity to do so.

 

Parity stopped the old juggernaut teams from keeping all their talent. That's all it was meant to do.

 

The fact the losing teams are managed poorly speaks volumes.

[CR91]

So you're telling me 7 different AFC teams made the Super Bowl in 16 years. That's almost half. Completely one sided.

Take a look at the NFC. Teams like the bills browns and raiders haven't made the playoffs in over a decade

[cmgww]

There is parity. It takes a lot more than just talent to get to the SB. Look at the past few years when #1 seeds have gone out in the first round. The Ravens last year were terrible at the end of the season and got hot at the right time to win it. This is the first year that both #1 seeds have played in the SB in a while. Heck, didn't like 8-9 teams still have a chance at the AFC playoffs in week 17? I can count Baltimore, Miami, Pittsburgh (they needed a ton of help and still almost made it)...San Diego got in at 9-7. In the NFC, you had a winner take all showdown with Dallas v. Eagles in week 17, an Arizona team that would have made the playoffs if they weren't in the NFC West, Carolina who hasn't sniffed the playoffs in ages...

Getting to the SB does require talent. But don't think luck/ref calls/funny ball bounces don't play a part. Like the SF game. The Bowman fumble non call changed that game. And what if Kap throws it a tad higher and SF beats SEA?

If anything, the Pats and Colts have shown the most stability in the free agency era. The Colts have only missed the playoffs twice since 1999, and the Pats just twice since 2001 (and went 11-5 in 2008 and missed). The Ravens and Steelers are tied for 2nd with 7 playoff appearances since 2000.

Just my view

[Jules]

Let us hope next year it is the Colts standing alone in the end again....alone. I was personally a bit bored heading into the Manning/Brady show down which they pumped into the media a million times a day as if it is a Biblical rivalry.

[Fx Stryker]

Let us hope next year it is the Colts standing alone in the end again....alone. I was personally a bit bored heading into the Manning/Brady show down which they pumped into the media a million times a day as if it is a Biblical rivalry.

Not surprising. You've been bored since the mid 2000s.

[Jules]

Not surprising. You've been bored since the mid 2000s.

 

This is sooooo true, sigh, I get bored very easily and am not always super loyal. Good thing I am not married......

[amfootball]

When two of the all time greatest QBs play in that conference then it will skew things. The NFC was similar when the Cowboys, Niners and Packers were fighting it out every year back in the late 80's and 90's.

[CR91]

When two of the all time greatest QBs play in that conference then it will skew things. The NFC was similar when the Cowboys, Niners and Packers were fighting it out every year back in the late 80's and 90's.

 

but you have some great qbs like rodgers and brees and yet both have only one super bowl berth.

[21isSuperman]

Just a couple years ago, Indy was drafting #1 and now they're in the playoffs.  Last year, the Chiefs were drafting at #1 and they made the playoffs this year.  Houston is drafting #1 this year and they have a lot of pieces in place, so they could have another 10+ win season next year.  I think the issue is with teams like Cleveland and Buffalo who have poor management and are continually towards the bottom of the standings.  San Diego made a nice resurgence this year, too.

[-JJ-]

Just a couple years ago, Indy was drafting #1 and now they're in the playoffs.  Last year, the Chiefs were drafting at #1 and they made the playoffs this year.  Houston is drafting #1 this year and they have a lot of pieces in place, so they could have another 10+ win season next year.  I think the issue is with teams like Cleveland and Buffalo who have poor management and are continually towards the bottom of the standings.  San Diego made a nice resurgence this year, too.

yep- all about who manages better. Colts- two #1 picks- two top QBs. Of course a little luck is involved with busts and timing of that #1 pick.

[GoPats]

There's not a lot of parity at the top of the AFC. It's the "middle class" where you see parity. There were what, like 12 teams that still had a shot at a wildcard heading into the last couple of weeks of December? 

 

What's impressive is how teams like Indy, NE, and the others continue to do well despite the factors stacked up against them. The NFL almost punishes teams for being successful. Low draft picks, crazy schedules with prime-time, nationally televised games, etc-etc. So much of it is about ownership and management, and coaching of course, and having the right group steering the ship.

[Fx Stryker]

but you have some great qbs like rodgers and brees and yet both have only one super bowl berth.

 

This is also a testament how great and how dominant Tom and Peyton are.