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No league sells competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through ten games during the current schedule, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where the bulk of franchises are merely fine.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most balanced franchises across the league, and achieved blowout wins during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles notwithstanding their difficulties still have among the most gifted lineups throughout football, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can defeat quality opponents. For each of these squads, you can still easily envision a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (5-4). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, possess either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners in the AFC remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If someone requested to commit to your conference championship predictions today, would you comfortably select any one of these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He has returned to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a five-minute stretch in which he threw an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This is a week after he turned the ball over five times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts’ offense thrived early in the season since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as demonstrated overseas. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would terminate any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Last season, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise across the league post seven wins in a row. If not for fumbling away a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the top standing. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the easiest slate throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has taken sacks thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are eight wins similarly, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos aren’t scaring playoff opponents. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West with seven wins, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will make it tough to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North notwithstanding receiving 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase persistently appear. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 yet still appear likely to claim the title reveals much about the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the greatest concern among competitors if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

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