Tommy wrote:"parity" = mediocrity
It's not parity. Even though every team has a fatal flaw there are clearly 4-5 teams better than everyone else in each conference. It's just that there isn't a completely dominant team like the '85 Bears. Even GB has issues with their secondary that could be a problem down the stretch.
A lot of it has to do with the lack of off season and shortened training camp. It through off the first 3-4 weeks of the season and made it hard for teams to address their flaws. I do think coaching will turn out to be a bigger factor than usual come December.
The AFC:
Houston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and New England are the best teams in the conference. It would be a big upset if one of those teams wasn't in the Superbowl. Whoever wins the west will be knocked out in the 1st round. Cincinnati should fade down the stretch. New York will probably hang around and grab the last wild card spot. But all of the teams have flaws that can be exploited.
Texans: They look to be the most complete team as of now. But elite QB's can exploit that secondary.
Steelers: Inconsistent, swiss cheese offensive line, vulnerable to spread offenses.
Ravens: They can't come back on good teams. Jump out to a multiple score lead and most of the time it's game over.
Patriots: Lousy defense, no deep threat on offense, special teams are bad.
Bengals: Rookie QB still a little shaky.
Jets: Sanchez looks like a deer in the headlights most of the time. He is easily confused. Look what NE did to him yesterday with a bunch of spare parts playing defense.