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No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams appear to be adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) seem like the most complete teams in the NFL, and delivered decisive victories during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges maintain a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, likewise with the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3), despite their uneven performances in trench play while managing coaching drama, have proven they can defeat strong franchises. For each of these squads, you can still easily put together a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, backed by the league’s best quarterbacks, display either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. Yet observing the current division frontrunners in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If someone requested to lock in your AFC title game selections right now, would you comfortably choose any among the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. However, recent performances have raised concerns. He’s back to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a brief period during which he tossed a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack excelled during early games because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are able to withstand some negative plays, as demonstrated overseas. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would finish championship hopes.

New England Analysis

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Last season, they were a punchline. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. Except for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 with the top standing. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the least challenging lineup in the league, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has been brought down 35 times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend were vicious. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos hold also 8-2, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West with seven wins, but the injuries along their offensive line will make it tough to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop the AFC North even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career continue to show up. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the complete conference.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the most fear for opponents if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

A week ago, the Bills were riding high following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses this year. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt