Still, they tend to keep games close, as do most teams except the Titans, who have allowed a ludicrous 308 points in going 3-6. Already, 31 games have had the winning points scored in the final two minutes or in overtime. Eleven of those were decided in the last 10 seconds of the fourth quarter and 10 went to OT.

Among the players producing the heroics in those games have been a bunch of rookies in what might be the strongest freshman class in years. Five first-year quarterbacks have started and, generally, made an impact, with the Colts’ Andrew Luck — top overall pick last April — noteworthy for his success. He’s lifted Indianapolis into the playoff push after the team won two games last season.

Robert Griffin III in Washington and Russell Wilson in Seattle have provided all kinds of excitement at the position, but don’t think only young QBs are making headlines. From running backs Doug Martin in Tampa and Trent Richardson in Cleveland to Bucs safety Mark Barron and Patriots DE Chandler Jones, it’s been a rocking half-season for rookies.

‘‘I don’t really know if there’s something in the water or what. The rookies are definitely making a huge impact this year,’’ Dolphins running back Reggie Bush said.

So are Manning and Peterson in their comebacks from major injuries and surgery. Now that Manning is approaching full health and a symbiotic relationship with his receivers, the Broncos have started looking like Super Bowl material. Peterson, coming off left knee surgery, returned to the lineup in less than nine months and has been, well, as sensational as ever.

For all the NFC superiority, the great comebacks, the offensive explosions and the remarkable rookies, the first half of the 2012 season might be most remembered for the opening three weeks of replacement officials. Indeed, if the Packers miss the postseason and the Seahawks make it, Seattle’s 14-12 victory in Week 3 on a last-second desperation pass that sparked the end of the lockout of the regular officials will be revisited endlessly.

Thankfully, there’s nearly two months of action left to dim the memories of those blown calls and indecisive non-calls. Eight weeks of points galore, perhaps. Of record-setting performances, for sure.

Maybe even an AFC revival.

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