The NFL Thread 2015: Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50

[MTZehvor]

mornelithe said:

MTZehvor said:

So this is ridiculous.

If Oakland doesn't collapse, the AFC will have three undefeated teams (at the very least until the end of SNF, and, if Denver can knock off Green Bay, until next week). The fourth best team will have three losses.

The level of disparity between the top of the league and the next level is becoming absurd. We're at the point where I'm not sure there is such a thing as a "marquee win" in this league unless you take down one of those five unbeatens.

Well, the amount of franchise QB's, and great coaches in the league could be counted on one hand, really.  That's kind of the problem.  No amount of salary capping, or free agency is going to alter that fact.  And given what we've heard regarding QB readiness out of College, it's an issue that's not going to get better anytime soon.

I agree, but at the same time, that issue has existed for years (certainly since the league shifted over to being "passer friendly"). Things have never been as bad as this, though. There's always been some good teams that have managed to get by without an elite quarterback or coach, either by having a strong running game (Chargers of the mid 2000s), a good defense (Ravens of the early 2010s), or both (Seahawks of the past few years). All of a sudden, those teams have just disappeared. 

There are no more merely good teams, with the exception of the Cardinals. You're either unbeaten, or you're merely mediocre.