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No league markets parity like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following ten games in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises appear to be fine.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most well-rounded squads in football, and achieved overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles maintain one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, comparable to Green Bay (5-2-1). The Lions also (6-3), despite their uneven performances in trench play and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For all five, you can still easily put together a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

Over in the AFC, championship race remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, display either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

Competitive Balance System

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to lock in your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you comfortably select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved total collapse. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He has returned to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and had a brief period during which he tossed an interception and fumbled three times. This is a week after he committed turnovers on five occasions against the Steelers.

The Colts attack excelled during early games because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts good enough to survive some negative plays, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

New England Analysis

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team across the league following seven consecutive victories. Except for fumbling away a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss as the league's best. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the easiest slate in the league, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has taken sacks thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – including particular impacts he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are also 8-2, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. Bo Nix has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West at 7-2, but the injuries along their offensive line will make it tough for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop the AFC North despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 and still look like capable of division victory is telling about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment among three elite teams – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who would still strike the greatest concern among competitors if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills were riding high after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in several seasons.

For those searching for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt