There’s a lot of talk about the NFL and parity, but if you look at the AFC playoff picture it’s more Talking Heads “Once in a Lifetime” than regular randomness. In a world of parity, the same teams shouldn’t make it year in and year out. That’s not the case.
Bill O’Brien’s Houston Texans squads have made the playoffs three of the last four years. They are always picked to be at the top of their division. Houston hasn’t had issues since they drafted Deshaun Watson — as long as Watson plays. The AFC South always has another team in the mix, but the Texans are the constant in the playoff discussion.
The Baltimore Ravens made their way back to the playoffs last year after a three-year hiatus. They would be considered a newcomer if they hadn’t made the playoffs six out of seven years from 2008 to 2014. They’ve made the playoffs seven times since John Harbaugh took over as head coach.
Andy Reid has missed the playoffs six years in his 21-year career. He’s only missed the playoffs once as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs had a bit of scare this season when Patrick Mahomes went out with injury, but he’s fine now and the Chiefs should run away with the AFC West.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Nothing is certain except for death, taxes, and the Patriots winning the AFC East. They only have a one-game lead on the Buffalo Bills, but it’s tough to picture a situation where the Patriots don’t make the playoffs.
Normally it’s the wildcard spots that give up and coming teams a chance to make the playoffs. A ton of names were thrown out at the beginning of the season. The Browns could make a push. The Raiders were in the race a few weeks ago. The Titans are barely outside looking in right now. Nope, we get the Steelers. Pittsburgh has only missed the playoffs four times in the past 12 seasons. They are the current six seed with all of their star players from last year either gone or injured. Their defense is great and Mike Tomlin deserves to be coach of the year, but it’s the Steelers again.
The only team that’s a surprise this year is Buffalo. So much for every team having a shot before the season starts. The teams above were all at the top of the books when it came to over-unders and making the playoffs. That’s not parity and randomness. It’s what everyone thought would happen.