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No major competition sells parity like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks in this campaign, 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 sufficient.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, at least, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most complete teams in the NFL, and achieved decisive victories on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges maintain a deeply skilled squad throughout football, similar to the Packers (5-2-1). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For all five, one can readily construct a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

Over in the AFC, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, supported by premier quarterback talent, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching this year’s four division leaders in the AFC still feels strange. Components of every squad suggest title potential, yet not completely. Were you questioned to finalize your conference championship predictions today, would you comfortably select any one of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks against the Falcons on Sunday, and had a short sequence during which he tossed an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This is a week after he committed turnovers on five occasions against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season because Jones avoided the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would end postseason aspirations.

Patriots Examination

New England appears somewhat similar. A year ago, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re football's most unexpected success and the hottest team across the league post seven wins in a row. If not for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 with the best record. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the least challenging lineup across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been brought down on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. With continued play, that punishment compounds.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading the Northern division notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career continue to show up. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record and still look like capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the greatest concern among competitors should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

Last week, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses this year. They didn't simply fail against Miami; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt