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No league markets equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks during the current schedule, this is not a competition that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where the majority of teams are merely fine.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, for the most part, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most complete teams in football, and achieved overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles still have a deeply skilled squad throughout football, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3), who have been inconsistent in trench play while managing tension on their coaching staff, have proven they can defeat good teams. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to envision a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, postseason landscape is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, backed by the league’s best quarterbacks, have either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. But watching this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad meet championship standards, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC Championship game picks today, would you comfortably select any one of these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He's reverting to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta on Sunday, and had a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he gave away possessions five separate times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack excelled during early games as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would terminate postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in the NFL post seven wins in a row. If not for fumbling away a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 with the best record. Previously, they were old and slow. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the least challenging lineup throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. Drake Maye has been sacked thirty-five times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending within their division with seven wins, however, health issues along their offensive line will present challenges for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading the AFC North even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase persistently appear. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record and still look like they should win the division is telling about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who could still create the highest anxiety among competitors if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills continue to self-destruct.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn’t just lose versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in several seasons.

Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt