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No major competition markets parity in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. But through ten games in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises is simply adequate.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) seem like the most well-rounded squads across the league, and delivered blowout wins on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles still have among the most gifted lineups throughout football, likewise with the Packers (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (6-3), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have proven they can hammer quality opponents. For each of these squads, you can still easily construct a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (5-4). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, backed by elite NFL signal-callers, display either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to finalize your AFC title game selections at this moment, would you confidently choose any among these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He's reverting to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and endured a short sequence during which he tossed a pick and lost three fumbles. This comes after he committed turnovers on five occasions facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially as Jones prevented game-changing errors. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are able to withstand periodic mistakes, as demonstrated overseas. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Last season, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. If not for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold nine wins, one loss with the top standing. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the most manageable schedule throughout football, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been brought down 35 times – among the highest totals – with several hits he endured during the game proved brutal. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos hold also 8-2, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering within their division with seven wins, but the injuries along their offensive line will make it tough to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

Then we have the Steelers, surprisingly atop their division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 yet still appear likely to claim the title is telling about the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who would still strike the highest anxiety in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

Previously, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in several seasons.

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