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No league promotes competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. But through ten games during the current schedule, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams is simply sufficient.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, for the most part, the picture becomes more distinct. Los Angeles and Seattle (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most complete teams in football, and secured decisive victories on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1). Even the Lions (six and three), despite their uneven performances in trench play while managing coaching drama, have demonstrated they can defeat quality opponents. For each of these squads, you can still easily construct a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

Over in the AFC, championship race remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Read that again. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. Historically strong franchises, supported by the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners within the conference remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team suggest title potential, yet not completely. If someone requested to commit to your AFC title game selections right now, would you confidently pick any of these four teams?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

First, examining Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He has returned to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. 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 lost three fumbles. This is a week after he gave away possessions five times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season since Jones evaded the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit make the Colts able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. A year ago, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise across the league post seven wins in a row. If not for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the best record. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the most manageable schedule across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has taken sacks on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – including particular impacts he endured during the game proved brutal. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division at 7-2, but the injuries along their offensive line will present challenges for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop the Northern division notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. The fact Baltimore began with a 1-5 record yet still appear capable of division victory reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who could still create the greatest concern for opponents if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in over three years.

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