Lions, 49ers and Bills Are Proof NFL Parity Exists

"So the last will be first and the first will be last..."

                         --Matthew 20:16

These are joyous times in Detroit, San Francisco and Buffalo, aren't they?

Nothing says renaissance like a win on Monday Night Football there in the raucous confines of Ford Field with Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Jhavid Best and the Ndamukong Suh-led defense putting it on the Chicago Bears.

Nothing says Happy Days are Here Again like Jim Harbaugh's troops running roughshod over the outmanned Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And nothing makes the wings taste better than the Buffalo Bills running out to a 4-1 record with a Harvard man at the helm of Chan Gailey's offense.

These three teams have combined for a stunning record of 13-2 thus far and they're the talk of the NFL and the poster boys for commissioner Roger Goodell's Perfect World of Parity where even the meek can inherit a division lead.

These teams didn't get to the top by accident. There were careful moves made, good personnel decisions and that which matters most — solid coaching.

You should first notice the recurring theme that these three organizations didn't fall for the "you have to hire Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden to succeed" mantra.

Jim Harbaugh was the most high profile of the three coaches responsible for turnarounds. The move to San Francisco from Stanford was a logical one for Harbaugh and he's doing exactly what Niner fans hoped he'd do.

All Harbaugh has done is make Alex Smith look like Steve Young. Smith looked solid, poised and professional in that 48-3 beatdown of the Buccaneers. Quicker than you can say "Rice-A-Roni" Harbaugh has become the next famous San Francisco treat.

The good news in 'Frisco is that the NFC West has a legitimate division leader.

When the Lions needed to turn around their dismal franchise, they took a defensive guy in Jim Schwartz, who in turn got a Man Named Suh, who in turn powers a defensive line built to last.

The Lions are also reaping the dividends of a healthy Matthew Stafford, whose skills have put receiver Calvin Johnson on display as he was Monday night, getting another touchdown reception and an an impressive one at that.

Just when you thought it was Stafford's show, Jahvid Best picked a good night to go nuts and put up 163 yards rushing, his career-best and in the process had that 88-yard run, longer than any Barry Sanders had. It was the second longest run in Detroit history and no doubt you remember Bob Hoernschmeyer's 96 yarder back in 1950.

You can bet the Bears went home convinced that Detroit is for real.

Buffalo is no less real but if you had your choice between Harbaugh and Chan Gailey, you'd hardly go with the guy who once coached at Florida and Georgia Tech.

These Buffalo Gaileys started showing big signs of life last season. Ryan Fitzpatrick took over in Week 3 and without huge fanfare, put up 3,000 yards and threw for 24 touchdowns in 13 games. Who would have thought a guy out of Harvard who had been around six years would suddenly look like the second coming of Jim Kelly?

The Bills had a lot of close calls last year, they dropped six games by eight points or less.

This year it's Fitzpatrick, wide receiver Steve Johnson and running back Fred Jackson putting some spark in the offense. Jackson went for 196 yards running and receiving in the win over the Eagles.

The Buffalo defense rebuilt itself with a pair of free agent linebackers who have worked out well —-Nick Barnett and Shawne Merriman, along with first-round draft pick Marcell Dareus working effectively at defensive end. He was a tackle in college.

These Bills are a force in the AFC East where previously the only two words anyone spouted was "New England."

In all, you have three teams that previously put a capital "D" in Downtrodden.

It's been a heavenly turnaround in all three cities.

And you'd figure that somewhere, St. Matthew is pulling for all of them.