Pouncey has unique view on unpredictable NFL

a combined 451 rushing yards in the losses to the Bears and Jaguars would hold the NFL’s top rusher, Kareem Hunt, to 21 yards on nine carries? The Giants were 11½-point underdogs at Denver, the Dolphins 13½-point underdogs at Atlanta. Chicago, which was a 7-point underdog, went to Baltimore and did the Steelers a big favor by beating the Ravens in overtime.

Nothing that happens on an NFL weekend surprises Pouncey.

“It’s super hard to win even one game in this league. I wish there was Jamboree. That would make things a lot easier.” Jamboree? “Jamboree is like the first game in little league,” Pouncey said, grinning. “See, you learn something every day, don’t you?”

What we long have known is that the New England Patriots’ staying power is nothing less than phenomenal. They have won eight consecutive division titles and 14 in the past 16 years. Sure, they have benefited by playing in the lame AFC East, but that doesn’t explain their six consecutive trips to the AFC championship and their five Super Bowl wins since 2001.

The Steelers can’t match the Patriots’ success, but their achievements have been remarkable nonetheless. They haven’t had a losing season since they went 610 in 2003 under Bill Cowher. Mike Tomlin is headed toward his 11th consecutive non-losing season, perhaps much more.

Then, there’s the consistency of the Cleveland Browns. Their failures are every bit as surreal as the Patriots’ successes. They are 0-6 this season, 1-21 in their past 22 games and 4-35 in their past 39. Aren’t you thankful you aren’t living in Cleveland?

It’s fair to say the Browns won’t be going to Super Bowl LII this season.

I can’t eliminate too many other teams, although it is impossible to pick a favorite.

The NFC is wide open. The Philadelphia Eagles are the only one-loss team at 5-1 but have to show they can hold up for the long haul. They started 4-2 last season, then lost seven of their next eight games. The Falcons aren’t getting much from 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who has thrown for six touchdowns with six interceptions. The Panthers, Rams, Seahawks and Vikings are in the mix, although the Vikings have big trouble at quarterback because of Sam Bradford’s sore knee. The Packers almost certainly are done after losing Aaron Rodgers Sunday with a broken collarbone. The Cowboys, at 2-3, are the NFC’s biggest disappointment and must deal with the Ezekiel Elliott suspension.

The AFC is nearly as crazy. The Chiefs are 5-1, the conference’s only one-loss team. The Steelers are 4-2 and climbed back into the Super Bowl conversation by handing the Chiefs that one defeat. The Patriots are 4-2 and might just be the favorites to come out of the AFC again despite home losses to Carolina and Kansas City. But after that? Perhaps the Broncos. But who else? Not the Oakland Raiders, who are 2-4 and without a healthy Derek Carr. Not the Ravens, who are 3-3 after that bad home loss to the Bears.

TheSteelers’ path to the AFCNorth title is clear. That’sthe good news. The bad newsis they will play Cincinnati Sunday at Heinz Field. TheBengals have won two in arow after an 0-3 start and are comingoff their idle week.

The Steelers are early 6point favorites.

Watch out.