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No league sells competitive balance like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following the first ten matchups of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams is simply adequate.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, to some degree, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most complete teams in football, and secured decisive victories on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles maintain among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1). Even the Lions (6-3), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have proven they can hammer good teams. For all five, one can readily envision a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

Over in the AFC, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise suggest title potential, yet not completely. If you were asked to commit to your AFC Championship game picks right now, would you confidently pick any of the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He has returned to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and experienced a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and fumbled three times. This comes after he gave away possessions five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially since Jones evaded game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts able to withstand occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would end championship hopes.

New England Patriots

New England appears somewhat similar. Previously, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in football after seven straight wins. Except for losing due to fumbles a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 with the best record. Previously, they were old and slow. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've played against the least challenging lineup in the league, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been brought down thirty-five times – among the highest totals – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering within their division with seven wins, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading the AFC North despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status regularly manifest. 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 within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 yet still appear capable of division victory reveals much about the complete conference.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens' form part among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the highest anxiety among competitors should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

A week ago, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

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