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No professional sports organization markets parity like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where the majority of teams are merely fine.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) appear to be the most well-rounded squads across the league, and delivered overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. Philadelphia at 6-2 despite their struggles still have among the most gifted lineups in the league, similar to the Packers (5-2-1). Even the Lions (six and three), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they're capable of dominating good teams. For each of these squads, one can readily put together a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

Over in the AFC, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. Historically strong franchises, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, have either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing the current division frontrunners within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. Were you questioned to commit to your AFC Championship game picks right now, would you comfortably select any one of the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't descended to total collapse. However, recent performances have caused alarm. He has returned to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and had a short sequence in which he threw an intercepted pass and lost three fumbles. This follows he turned the ball over five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense excelled during early games because Jones avoided game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would finish championship hopes.

New England Analysis

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in the NFL after seven straight wins. Had it not been for fumbling away a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the best record. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've played against the easiest slate across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has taken sacks 35 times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, yet it seems as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West with seven wins, but the injuries along their offensive line will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading their division despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, 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. The fact Baltimore began losing five of six and currently seem capable of division victory is telling about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the most fear in opposing teams if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, the Bills were riding high following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback of the season. They didn't merely fall against Miami; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in several seasons.

For those searching for a microcosm of the day, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt