According to this video, the NFL Network would have you believe so. Give me a break. Here are the top teams (by record):
The "Good"
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) have only scored 11 more points than their opponents.
- Indianapolis Colts (5-0) won by 2 and 4 points in week one and two respectively against mediocre teams, then won comfortable against three teams with a combined 4 wins.
- Denver Broncos (5-0) have admittedly won big games against three good opponents, all have come on scores in the final seconds. Could easily be 2-3.
- New York Giants (5-0) won three of their games against miserable opponents (with one total win amongst them) and escaped with < 1 score victories in their only games against decent opponents.
- Minnesota Vikings (5-0) won a game they shouldn't have (incredible 40 yard pass with no time left) and didn't pull ahead of Detroit till the last play of the third quarter.
- New Orleans Saints (4-0) are a pretty good team.
The "Bad"
- Buffalo Bills (1-4) lost two games by a combined 4 points. Could easily be 3-2 (which still wouldn't necessarily indicate that they are that good).
- Cleveland Browns (1-4) lost each of their last two games by 3 points.
- Tennessee Titans (0-5) lost each of their first 3 games by a score or less.
- Kansas City Chiefs (0-5) lost two games by a score or less.
- Detroit Lions (1-4) hung well with both Pittsburgh and Minnesota, two very good teams. Lost to Washington by only 5.
- Carolina Panthers (1-3) has played decent opponents all year.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5) isn't necessarily any good but have had a strong schedule (Cowboys, Giants, Washington, Philly).
- Seattle Seahawks (0-5) same as above (Washington, Green Bay, San Fran, Minnesota).
So not only are most of these teams not as good or as bad as they seem, most of them are in the opposite position they were as few as 2 years ago.
No my friends, NFL parity is not dead.