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No league sells parity as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams is simply fine.

NFC Standings Definition

In the NFC, at least, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most balanced franchises in the NFL, and delivered overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters throughout football, similar to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with coaching drama, have shown they're capable of dominating good teams. For all five, you can still easily put together a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, championship race remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, display either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to commit to your AFC title game selections today, would you comfortably select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He has returned to turning over the ball and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and had a five-minute stretch during which he tossed an intercepted pass and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he turned the ball over five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack excelled during early games since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would end any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

New England appears fairly alike. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad across the league after seven straight wins. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a winnable game versus the Steelers, they would currently hold a 9-1 record as the league's best. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've played against the most manageable schedule across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. Drake Maye has been brought down on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the Western division at 7-2, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop their division notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and currently seem capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the complete conference.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the most fear for opponents if they qualified. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Previously, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in several seasons.

Should you seek an example representing the day, consider this: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt