Regardless of the countless power rankings, most agree that the Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets are the three best teams in the NFL.
Barring injuries, all three will be major players in the postseason because they have good running games, strong defenses and blue-collar coaches with dominant personalities.
But the one position that makes the Steelers the favorite is at quarterback, where they have a two-time Super Bowl champion in Ben Roethlisberger.
The question is whether quarterbacks Joe Flacco of the Ravens and Mark Sanchez of the Jets can narrow the talent gap between now and the postseason?
Former Washington Redskins quarterback and national television analyst Joe Theismann sees it the same way, but with a slight twist.
"From what I've seen this year, I would pick Mark Sanchez No. 1, Joe Flacco No. 2 and Ben No. 3," Theismann says. "And if Sanchez is 1, then Joe has to be 1A."
"Roethlisberger is No. 3 from lack of work," he continues. "He is proven, but every year is a different kind of year even though I do expect him to get back to where he was before."
Why wouldn't he? He's just 28, and reports from training camp had him in great shape. In the past couple of seasons, no player has been more of a Ravens killer than Roethlisberger and his last-second heroics. The Ravens still have nightmares about him hooking up with Santonio Holmes for big plays.
The postseason is all about quarterbacks making big plays. That's why you never count out teams like the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts because they have elite quarterbacks who can carry their teams.
And when you have balanced teams like the Ravens, Jets and Steelers, it will come down to the quarterback who can make the play or two that makes a difference.
Compared to a year ago, no quarterback has made a bigger improvement than the second-year Sanchez, according to Theismann.
Last year, Sanchez completed 196 of 364 passes for 2,444 yards, but he has already thrown for 902 yards in five games this season. Last year he had 20 interceptions. This year he has none.
"As far as quarterbacks, he has improved as much as anyone in the game," Theismann says. "Take a look at some of those who needed to improve like Derek Anderson, Matt Leinart or the entire Cleveland situation. In the case of Sanchez, he just continued to upgrade every aspect of his game.
"The physical part was a given with him. But his decision-making has improved, the way he stays and steps up in the pocket, the way he handled the weather the other night. He has made significant progress since the first game of this season. He does what he wants to do with a football."
Flacco, in his third season, still struggles with his mechanics, and at this point, it appears he always will. But Theismann has noticed a more confident Flacco in the pocket, and believes he has finally built a comfort level with his receivers, in particular, Anquan Boldin.
"The confidence is much greater than it was a month ago, especially in Boldin," Theismann says. "What is amazing about Baltimore is that last year this offense was built around running back Ray Rice, and running backs Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain.
"But with injuries that have slowed Rice, Joe has been the guy to carry this offense where it has gotten so far. Joe Flacco has actually been the guy to balance this offense out."
Theismann gives credit to offensive coordinators Brian Schottenheimer of the Jets and Cam Cameron of the Ravens. This season, neither has held back on their young quarterbacks.
"They have both allowed them to shoulder more responsibility," Theismann says. "With Sanchez, if it was third-and-six a year ago, there was the 60-40, 70-30 percent chance that the Jets would likely run it. It's not like that anymore."
Theismann has noticed other similarities as well between the Jets, Ravens and Steelers. All three have a nice blend of players at tight end and all three have playmakers on the outside at receiver and at running back.
"It's all about balance on offense unless you have a Tom Brady," Theismann says. "Right now, Pittsburgh has the No. 32 passing game in the league, and my hat goes off to Charlie Batch for being and playing smart. But with Ben back, the Steelers are going to be a lot more explosive. This is going to get really interesting."
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