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No league promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. But through ten games during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises appear to be fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (each holding 7-2 records) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and secured blowout wins on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles notwithstanding their difficulties still have one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), despite their uneven performances in trench play while managing tension on their coaching staff, have proven they can defeat strong franchises. For all five, one can readily construct a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, 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 this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to lock in your AFC Championship game picks today, could you assuredly choose any among the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He has returned to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and endured a brief period in which he threw an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This comes after he committed turnovers on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack performed well initially since Jones evaded the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are able to withstand occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his old blunder-prone days would terminate championship hopes.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Last season, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in football after seven straight wins. Except for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold at 9–1 as the league's best. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the easiest slate throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has been sacked thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems along their offensive line will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and currently seem they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the complete conference.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety among competitors if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

Previously, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in several seasons.

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