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No major competition markets equal footing like the NFL: it defines their identity. But through the first ten matchups of this season, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams is simply fine.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most well-rounded squads in football, and delivered decisive victories in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles maintain one of the most talented rosters in the league, likewise with the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For all five, you can still easily envision a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, possess either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to lock in your AFC Championship game picks right now, could you assuredly select any one of the four division leaders?

Franchise Analysis

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't yet achieved complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He's reverting to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and endured a short sequence in which he threw an interception and fumbled three times. This is a week after he gave away possessions five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially as Jones prevented the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are capable of overcoming some negative plays, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team in the NFL post seven wins in a row. If not for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record as the league's best. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've played against the least challenging lineup in the league, yet vulnerabilities remain. Drake Maye has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – with several hits he endured during the game appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division with seven wins, however, health issues along their offensive line will present challenges to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning their division notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like likely to claim the title is telling about the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment among three elite teams – together with Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the most fear among competitors if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, the Bills were riding high after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in several seasons.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt