🔗 Share this article

No professional sports organization promotes parity in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. But through 10 weeks of this season, this is not a competition that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the majority of teams appear to be adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, for the most part, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most complete teams across the league, and delivered overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges continue to possess among the most gifted lineups throughout football, similar to the Packers (5-2-1). The Lions also (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent in trench play and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have proven they can hammer strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to envision a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (5-4). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The traditional powers, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, have either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching the current division frontrunners within the conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad meet championship standards, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to lock in your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you comfortably choose any among the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He has returned to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a short sequence where he delivered an interception and fumbled three times. This follows he committed turnovers five times facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Last season, they were a punchline. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in football post seven wins in a row. Except for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 as the league's best. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has taken sacks on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West at 7-2, but the injuries within their blocking corps will make it tough for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading the Northern division even after suffering a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 yet still appear capable of division victory is telling about the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the most fear for opponents should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

A week ago, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in over three years.

If you’re looking for an example representing the day, look no further: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt