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The Denver Broncos came back from a 24-0 deficit to defeat the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football, and with two weeks still left until Halloween, San Diego's defeat means that 14 of the 16 teams in the AFC already have at least three losses. And the only two teams in the conference with 5-1 records--the Ravens and Texans--are now dealing with major injuries. This kind of situation screams of parity (or mediocrity), and if there was any doubt before this season, nobody can now argue against the sentiment that the balance of power has officially switched from the AFC to the NFC.
That might be bad news if you belong to a fan club called "AFC4Life!" However, since I suspect that most people reading this are probably more loyal to the Pittsburgh Steelers than the actual conference they play in, it's actually kind of good news.
After another tough road loss to a bad team last Thursday night in Tennessee, Pittsburgh is licking its wounds with a 2-3 record; the team has problems and they are many (phrase stolen from the Emporer), and as often is the case in these circumstances, the reactions among the fans have varied.
Many, like yours truly, believe this might be a transition year for the team. The defense is old, the injuries too numerous, and that Super Bowl window has to close sooner or later, right?
Then there are those of you who think that people like me are pessimistic, short-sighted, naysayers. The Steelers window will never, ever close!
Well, if that window is still open for the Steelers, how will the 2012 edition ever climb through it with so many leg injuries?
I don't know if the offense will ever figure things out, or if the defense will ever actually find a way to make another "splash play," but even if the 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers remain an underwhelming, injured mess for the rest of the season, their mediocre conference might actually act as a stick that keeps their broken Super Bowl window open for another season.
To quote Chuck Noll one more time: "Whatever it takes."