🔗 Share this article

No major competition promotes equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. But through 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league appear to be sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) appear to be the most complete teams in football, and delivered overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, comparable to the Packers franchise (five wins, two losses, one tie). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent on offense and defense and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For each of these squads, you can still easily construct a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The traditional powers, backed by the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team meet championship standards, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to commit to your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you confidently select any one of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved total collapse. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He has returned to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a short sequence where he delivered a pick and lost three fumbles. This comes after he committed turnovers on five occasions against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games as Jones prevented the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would end any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Previously, they were a punchline. Now, they’re football's most unexpected success and the hottest team across the league following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the best record. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the most manageable schedule in the league, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has been brought down 35 times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend proved brutal. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division with seven wins, but the injuries affecting their protection unit will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning their division even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career persistently appear. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record and still look like capable of division victory is telling about the complete conference.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the most fear in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, but the Chiefs and Bills continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a microcosm of the day, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt