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:signmast:THUMPER;1785229 said:I disagree (partly) and think that this season is a perfect example that parity is alive and active in the NFL.
Parity isn't about a single season but about dynasties. The goal of parity in the NFL is to eliminate dynasties, teams that win year after year, like what we saw in the 60s & 70s. The hope by the league is that teams will cycle through winning and losing seasons as they build and re-build.
The other goal, and why I said I disagreed (partly), is that they want teams to hover around 8-8, some teams at 10-6 and some at 6-10, but not many outside that range.
This year there are 17 teams within 6-4 - 4-6, which is just where the NFL would like them to be. There are 9 teams who are outside the lines with more than 7 wins or losses. That leaves another 6 teams with 7 wins or losses who are on the bubble.
Last year there were 20 teams within the range, and only 5 significantly outside it (13 wins or losses).
I would agree that this year there is a higher percentage outside the preferred range but that this is a little bit of an aberration and not indicative of parity being a thing of the past.
The increase in salary cap the last two years has allowed teams to retain talent more than any other time in the past 13 years.
We are still seeing teams that did poorly last year doing well this year and vice-vera. In fact half of last year's playoff teams are likely to not make it this year.
Just my take on it.
Great post.