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No professional sports organization sells parity like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Rather, we see a situation where most of the league appear to be adequate.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) appear to be the most well-rounded squads in football, and secured decisive victories during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess a deeply skilled squad throughout football, comparable to Green Bay (5-2-1). Detroit as well (six and three), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can hammer strong franchises. For all five, one can readily put together a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, supported by premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders within the conference still feels strange. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to lock in your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, could you assuredly pick any of these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He’s back to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a brief period where he delivered a pick and fumbled three times. This is a week after he gave away possessions on five occasions against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would finish postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Previously, they were considered jokes. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad across the league post seven wins in a row. If not for fumbling away a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold at 9–1 with the best record. Previously, they were old and slow. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the least challenging lineup throughout football, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend were vicious. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering in the Western division with seven wins, but the injuries within their blocking corps will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading the AFC North despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. They have a negative point differential, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations during his career phase persistently appear. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 yet still appear likely to claim the title speaks volumes regarding the complete conference.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the highest anxiety for opponents 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

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

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