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No league sells competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams is simply adequate.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most well-rounded squads in football, and delivered blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess among the most gifted lineups throughout football, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (6-3), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have proven they can hammer quality opponents. Regarding these five teams, one can readily put together a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, championship race is a jumbled mess. The current division frontrunners after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, display either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

To some extent, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If you were asked to commit to your AFC title game selections at this moment, could you assuredly choose any among these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. However, recent performances have been worrying. He’s back to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and had a brief period in which he threw a pick and fumbled three times. This comes after he committed turnovers on five occasions against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season as Jones prevented game-changing errors. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are able to withstand some negative plays, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would finish any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem fairly alike. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in the NFL after seven straight wins. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record as the league's best. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the least challenging lineup throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has taken sacks 35 times – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he endured during the game proved brutal. With continued play, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending within their division with seven wins, but the injuries along their offensive line will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading the AFC North despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again 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, though the speed of this shift represents criticism toward Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 yet still appear capable of division victory is telling about the complete conference.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the highest anxiety among competitors if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt