We're entering Week 12 of the 2010 NFL season and there's one thing we can say we're certain of: nobody knows who will win the AFC West. I can't remember not having even the slightest idea who will win the division by Week 12. Usually there's a front-runner, or someone with some momentum, at some point.
Kansas City has the best record at 6-4 but are they the best team? The Chargers sure are playing well. Will their winning streak continue? The Raiders were in first place last week. Is this the year they finally get over the hump?
The parity that we're talking about isn't limited to just the AFC West. The NFC South and NFC West are extreme examples of each The NFC South includes three teams that are 7-3 or better, while the NFC West leader is 5-5, which means the 3-7 49ers are only two games out of first place.
Take a look at this Tweet from Michael Signora, VP of football communications for the NFL.
Entering Week 12, 19 teams are within 1 game of 1st in their divisions, most at this point in NFL history
Both the Raiders and Chargers are within one game of the Chiefs.
I guess what I'm saying is that Sundays (or the following Mondays) aren't going to get any easier around here. I'm preparing for this thing to come down to Week 17. I'm just not sure there's anyway it doesn't at this point.