Parity.
A buzz word in league circles for years is now closer to reality than ever before just two weeks into this NFL season.
The Pats and
Tony Romo's
Heading into Monday night's frolic between the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, a league-record 19 teams rest at 1-1. Barring a tie between Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan, that number will hit 20 by morning.
The previous record of 18 was achieved six other times in NFL history and most recently last season.
When (again, barring a tie) six teams sit at 2-0 on Tuesday, that figure will mark the fewest undefeated squads since the NFL expanded to 30 clubs in 1995. It will tie for the second fewest number of undefeated teams after two weeks of play since 1976, when the league bulged to 28.
Depending on your view, the NFL has either (a) come a long toward building competition or (b) watered down play at the expense of team dynasties and long-established circles of power.
How many teams don't have a chance at the playoffs? Four, five? This wasn't true 20 years ago. The value of that depends on your point of view.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
