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No league sells parity in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. But through 10 weeks during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams is simply fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Looking at the NFC side, for the most part, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most complete teams across the league, and delivered decisive victories in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges maintain one of the most talented rosters throughout football, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage while managing coaching drama, have proven they can hammer good teams. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily construct a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape is a jumbled mess. The current division frontrunners after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, supported by premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

Competitive Balance System

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams within the conference still feels strange. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If someone requested to finalize your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to total collapse. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He’s back to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta on Sunday, and had a brief period in which he threw an interception and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he committed turnovers on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts’ offense thrived early in the season since Jones evaded the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would end any playoff run.

New England Analysis

New England appears fairly alike. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in football following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for fumbling away a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the top standing. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the least challenging lineup across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. The signal-caller has been sacked 35 times – among the highest totals – including particular impacts he endured during the game proved brutal. With continued play, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at also 8-2, yet it seems as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, yet medical problems along their offensive line will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began losing five of six yet still appear they should win the division is telling about the complete conference.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who could still create the greatest concern in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

A week ago, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't simply fail versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in several seasons.

Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt