🔗 Share this article

No major competition sells competitive balance like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after ten games of this season, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the bulk of franchises are merely adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, for the most part, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most complete teams in football, and delivered decisive victories in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (six and three), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have proven they're capable of dominating good teams. For each of these squads, one can readily envision a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, supported by premier quarterback talent, possess either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise suggest title potential, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you comfortably pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He's reverting to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and experienced a brief period in which he threw an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This comes after he turned the ball over on five occasions facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially since Jones evaded game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are able to withstand periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would end any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel relatively comparable. A year ago, they were a punchline. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in the NFL after seven straight wins. If not for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 as the league's best. Last season, they were old and slow. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the most manageable schedule across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has been brought down on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, with the attack struggling, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning their division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status continue to show up. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started losing five of six yet still appear they should win the division is telling about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety for opponents should they reach postseason. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills were riding high after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt