🔗 Share this article

No major competition sells parity as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. But through 10 weeks during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league are merely adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and secured overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges continue to possess a deeply skilled squad in the league, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3), with their fluctuating form in trench play while managing internal staff conflicts, have shown they're capable of dominating good teams. For each of these squads, one can readily envision a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

Over in the AFC, championship race is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (five wins, four losses). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The traditional powers, supported by the league’s best quarterbacks, have either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing the current division frontrunners in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad meet championship standards, yet not completely. If you were asked to finalize your conference championship predictions today, could you assuredly pick any of these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He’s back to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and experienced a short sequence during which he tossed a pick and fumbled three times. This comes after he committed turnovers five separate times facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially as Jones prevented the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit make the Colts able to withstand some negative plays, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would end postseason aspirations.

New England Analysis

The Patriots feel fairly alike. A year ago, they were a punchline. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad in football following seven consecutive victories. Except for fumbling away a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record with the best record. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been brought down on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. Over time, that punishment compounds.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at 8–2 as well, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Bo Nix has shown inconsistency, with the attack struggling, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division at 7-2, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will present challenges for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading their division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started losing five of six and still look like likely to claim the title reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who would still strike the most fear in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn't simply fail against Miami; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in over three years.

Should you seek an example representing the day, consider this: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt