🔗 Share this article

No major competition sells equal footing in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after ten games in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. It’s one where the majority of teams are merely adequate.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, for the most part, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) appear to be the most complete teams in the NFL, and achieved blowout wins during Sunday's action. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges continue to possess a deeply skilled squad throughout football, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they're capable of dominating quality opponents. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to envision a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (5-4). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, supported by premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to finalize your AFC title game selections today, would you comfortably pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to total collapse. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He's reverting to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks against the Falcons on Sunday, and endured a five-minute stretch in which he threw an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This follows he committed turnovers five separate times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack excelled during early games as Jones prevented game-changing errors. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand some negative plays, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Last season, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad across the league following seven consecutive victories. Except for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won versus the Steelers, they'd possess at 9–1 as the league's best. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the most manageable schedule throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has taken sacks on 35 occasions – among the highest totals – with several hits he suffered last weekend proved brutal. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering within their division holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries affecting their protection unit will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading the Northern division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 and currently seem capable of division victory is telling about the entire AFC.

Historical Favorites

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety for opponents if they made the playoffs. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they suffered humiliation, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt