Has Parity Really Worked In The NFL?

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

We know who to thank in the '85 Bears case. That Bears team was still great for a few more years, but Gibbs and co. knocked them out of the playoffs back-to-back years at Soldier Field.

Just to add, the NFL is definitely a QB driven league. The old cliche might be defense wins championships, but the reality doesn't seem to agree with that. I'll admit, I'm stealing this from Mike Greenberg this morning, I thought he made this great point.

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

Now look at how many Super Bowls were won by teams led by the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman, Montana, and now Brady. Too many to even count on two hands.

QBs win championships in this league. It's no coincidence that when you have a team that juggles QB's year in and year out you're typically talking about a bad team.

I wonder how many of these great QB's had very stable and consistent o-lines? I know Aikmen had a some great linemen protecting him and opening up holes for Emmitt. Same with Young/Montanna. Gibbs' Hogs are the very definition of successful teams that were heavily dependent on offensive line cohesion, talent and stability.

As for the parity, I think it's a good thing overall, although I do kind of miss the olden days. When a team like Arizona went into SF to play the Niners, their chances of winning the game were practically nil. If they didn't get totally blown out it was a minor miracle. Now it's more of a "any given sunday" mentality.

I think they've reached a good medium. You still have a few dynasty-like teams, but for everyone else each year brings promise.

Just to add, the NFL is definitely a QB driven league. The old cliche might be defense wins championships, but the reality doesn't seem to agree with that. I'll admit, I'm stealing this from Mike Greenberg this morning, I thought he made this great point.

Look at the 2 most dominant defenses from the modern era. The '85 Bears and the '00 Ravens. How many Super Bowls did they win combined? Two.

Now look at how many Super Bowls were won by teams led by the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman, Montana, and now Brady. Too many to even count on two hands.

QBs win championships in this league. It's no coincidence that when you have a team that juggles QB's year in and year out you're typically talking about a bad team.

I agree its a QB driven league and by virtue of that fact the NFL is a passing game. There is so much talk about running the ball (and a team has to be able to do it) but in today's game its passing that wins.

I personally think parity has worked great. you have the teams that virtually had no shot in the 70's, 80's and a certain degree in the 90's. these teams now have the financial resources to get players in free agency to compete with the high income teams. Those teams that would not pack the stands and make millions over millions now have butts in the seat and want to build new stadiums, go and get to free agents. I think the reason you see all these teams so close in records is directly related to parity and I think its great for football. "any given sunday" has new meaning. before if the 80's skins or 49ers went up against one of the pats, cards or who ever the lower tear teams were, you knew it wasn't going to be much of a game. Now, you never know. nothing is taken for granted, no win is guaranteed.

love it - great for NFL.

Okay, well here's my question stated differently and perhaps better. Has the influx of college coaches helped parity in the NFL at all or has it been a non-factor?

Okay, well here's my question stated differently and perhaps better. Has the influx of college coaches helped parity in the NFL at all or has it been a non-factor?

I say it's a non-factor. Some do well, some don't. A lot have had prior experience coaching in one form or another at the pro level before taking the head coaching job.

I think if you looked at the college coaches and NFL assistant coaches you would get about the same fail rating as head coaches. I also think that with the way college coaches are now getting paid and the way others have failed we will see fewer coming in as head coaches.

Okay, well here's my question stated differently and perhaps better. Has the influx of college coaches helped parity in the NFL at all or has it been a non-factor?


I dont think the college coaches have had any effect on the parity in the NFL. regardless of the coaches, the owners now have more money available to make the mediocore franchises more competative.

Its a non-factor. With how much $ college coaches are getting paid they would be nuts to come to the meat-grinder that is the NFL. They can stay in college take the team to a bowl game (and the alumni on a nice holiday trip) and everyone's happy.