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No professional sports organization markets competitive balance like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams appear to be sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most balanced franchises in football, and achieved blowout wins in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges still have among the most gifted lineups throughout football, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1). Detroit as well (six and three), despite their uneven performances in trench play and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have proven they're capable of dominating strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily put together a championship trajectory.

AFC Confusion

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. 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, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders within the conference remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly choose any among the four division leaders?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He’s back to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta on Sunday, and had a short sequence where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he turned the ball over on five occasions against the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are good enough to survive periodic mistakes, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his old blunder-prone days would terminate any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Previously, they were a punchline. Today, they stand as the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team across the league after seven straight wins. If not for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 as the league's best. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the easiest slate throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been brought down thirty-five times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. With continued play, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are eight wins similarly, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Bo Nix has shown inconsistency, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries affecting their protection unit will make it tough for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning their division despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. They have a negative point differential, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 yet still appear they should win the division is telling about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the most fear in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in several seasons.

Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt