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No major competition promotes equal footing like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks of this season, this is not a competition that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams are merely fine.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, for the most part, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most balanced franchises in football, and achieved overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess among the most gifted lineups in the league, similar to the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense while managing coaching drama, have proven they're capable of dominating quality opponents. For all five, one can readily envision a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (5-4 record). Read that again. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, display either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching the current division frontrunners within the conference continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad suggest title potential, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to lock in your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you confidently choose any among the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn't descended to pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He's reverting to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a brief period during which he tossed an intercepted pass and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he gave away possessions five times against the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense thrived early in the season since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would end any playoff run.

New England Patriots

New England appears relatively comparable. Last season, they were a punchline. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team across the league after seven straight wins. Had it not been for fumbling away a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 as the league's best. Previously, they were old and slow. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the least challenging lineup in the league, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has been brought down 35 times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend were vicious. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries along their offensive line will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase continue to show up. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and currently seem capable of division victory reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the highest anxiety among competitors should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, but the Chiefs and Bills continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. During Sunday's action they experienced among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn't simply fail against Miami; they suffered humiliation, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in over three years.

For those searching for a perfect summary of Sunday, look no further: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt