John Niyo: NFL Insider

NFL now has haves, have-nots

It's easy to say the parity party in pro football is over. Probably too easy.

After all, we're only eight months removed from Arizona making a Super Bowl appearance. And in a league where free-agent movement and salary-cap restrictions even the field, only a half-dozen franchises have gone the last four years or more without a losing record.

But those six teams -- Pittsburgh, New England, Indianapolis, San Diego, the New York Giants and Dallas -- have won seven of the last eight Super Bowls. And they're off to a combined 28-11 start this season.

Three teams -- Indianapolis, New Orleans and Denver -- are undefeated through Week 7 for the first time since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. The top four teams are a combined 31-2, while the bottom five are 3-37.

And that sort of disparity has produced some awfully uncompetitive football. The average margin of victory this season is 14 points. In Week 7 alone, six games were decided by 28 or more points, the first time that has happened since 1994 and the start of the salary-cap era, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

So what gives?

Coaching changes and front-office restructuring resulted in demolition duty for teams like Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis, Cleveland and Tampa Bay. That's probably the biggest reason for the have-nots at the moment.

And keep in mind, with an uncapped year likely in 2010, and free-agent movement severely restricted with the expiration of the current labor agreement, the road to respectability now has a speed limit. Building through the draft takes time, a solid organization and a smart plan.

But really, the biggest reason for parity's pause might simply be this: In 2002, the league realignment created four-team divisions and arguably four or five fewer games against weaker opposition for teams that "earn" a so-called last-place schedule.

For example, before 2002, a Detroit team coming off an 0-16 season would've played eight divisional games, two AFC opponents coming off last-place finishes, and at least three other games against NFC teams coming off last-place finishes. Bad teams played bad teams more often, while good teams handed other good teams more losses.

Now, it's six divisional games plus an AFC and NFC division, and two last-place NFC teams.

Needed break in D.C.

The reeling Redskins get a break this week.

But will it do any good?

Their first seven opponents were a combined 11-29. Their next five are 24-6. They have more offensive play-callers at the moment -- three -- than wins.

"The fans are losing interest," defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth told reporters Tuesday, a day after a loss to the Eagles dropped the Redskins to 2-5. "The more games we play, the fewer fans come. I mean, it's just getting bad."

Prime position

The Week 9 bye will come at a good time for the Vikings, after what figures to be an emotional game Sunday at Lambeau Field.

A win there would do more than just give Brett Favre a 2-0 record against his former team. It'd give Minnesota, coming off a tough loss at Pittsburgh, a commanding lead in the NFC North.

By the numbers

2 Kickoff returns for touchdowns by Vikings rookie Percy Harvin.

5 Interceptions in October for Bills rookie safety Jairus Byrd.

43 Percent of games (44 of 102) decided by 7 points or less this season.

Triple threat

Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson became the fifth player in history to score touchdowns receiving, rushing and by punt return in each of his first two seasons:

John's top 5

• 1. New Orleans: Erased 21-point deficit vs. Miami with surprising ease.

• 2. Indianapolis: Next three at home, including Patriots (Nov. 15).

• 3. Denver: QB Orton has nine fewer INTs than Cutler does with Chicago.

• 4. Pittsburgh: Mendenhall's answering the bell as No. 1 back.

• 5. Minnesota: Blown call -- and turnovers -- handed game to Steelers.

John's bottom 5

• 28. Tennessee: Hey, Bud: Vince Young's not the answer.

• 29. Oakland: Russell quickly proving he's no franchise QB.

• 30. Cleveland: If Anderson's still starter, how bad is Quinn?

• 31. Tampa Bay: Time for Josh Freeman era to begin.

• 32. St. Louis: Rams bring 17-game losing streak to Ford Field.

More online:

Find John Niyo's complete power rankings at detnews.com/lions.

Tough ticket

The Lions, likely facing a second local TV blackout this week, have company at the bottom of the league's attendance rankings:

Quotable

“I don’t think we could’ve beat an Oakland high school team.”

-- Richard Seymour, Raiders defensive end, after last Sunday’s 38-0 loss to the Jets.