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No league sells parity in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. However, after ten games during the current schedule, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams are merely fine.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and delivered overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges continue to possess among the most gifted lineups in the league, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can hammer strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to envision a Super Bowl path.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (five wins, four losses). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad meet championship standards, yet not completely. If you were asked to commit to your AFC title game selections today, would you confidently choose any among these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to turning over the ball and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and experienced a short sequence in which he threw an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he turned the ball over on five occasions facing the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense thrived early in the season as Jones prevented the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts able to withstand periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would terminate postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

New England appears somewhat similar. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in the NFL post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the best record. Previously, 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 throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has taken sacks thirty-five times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend were vicious. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will make it tough to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop the AFC North even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations during his career phase regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, 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 they should win the division reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the highest anxiety among competitors if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

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