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No professional sports organization sells competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through 10 weeks during the current schedule, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. It’s one where the bulk of franchises is simply fine.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, to some degree, there is some clarity. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most balanced franchises across the league, and achieved overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges still have one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). Detroit as well (six and three), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they can hammer strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily construct a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The traditional powers, backed by premier quarterback talent, have either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams within the conference remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to lock in your conference championship predictions today, would you comfortably choose any among the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He's reverting to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and experienced a brief period in which he threw an interception and lost three fumbles. This follows he gave away possessions five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit make the Colts capable of overcoming some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would end postseason aspirations.

New England Analysis

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Previously, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad in football post seven wins in a row. If not for committing turnover errors a manageable matchup versus the Steelers, they would currently hold at 9–1 with the top standing. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the easiest slate across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has taken sacks thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he endured during the game appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering within their division holding a 7-2 record, yet medical problems along their offensive line will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like likely to claim the title reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens' form part of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered one of the most disappointing losses this year. They didn’t just lose versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in over three years.

If you’re looking for a microcosm of the day, look no further: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt