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No league sells competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. However, after 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams appear to be sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) appear to be the most balanced franchises in the NFL, and achieved overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles still have one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). The Lions also (six and three), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have proven they can hammer quality opponents. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily envision a championship trajectory.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, display either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly choose any among these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He's reverting to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a brief period during which he tossed a pick and lost three fumbles. This follows he committed turnovers on five occasions facing the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit make the Colts capable of overcoming some negative plays, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would end postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Previously, they were a punchline. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise across the league post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for fumbling away a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the best record. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the least challenging lineup across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has taken sacks on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will make it tough to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading the AFC North despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints 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. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, 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 likely to claim the title is telling about the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the most fear in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Previously, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in over three years.

For those searching for a microcosm of the day, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt