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No professional sports organization sells parity like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through 10 weeks in this campaign, this is not a competition featuring uniform distribution separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where most of the league is simply adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most balanced franchises in football, and achieved blowout wins on Sunday. Philadelphia at 6-2 despite their struggles still have a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have shown they're capable of dominating quality opponents. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily envision a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, championship race is a jumbled mess. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or are dealing with health issues.

Parity Mechanics

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Aspects of each franchise suggest title potential, yet not completely. Were you questioned to commit to your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, could you assuredly select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. However, recent performances have raised concerns. He has returned to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a short sequence during which he tossed a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he turned the ball over five times against the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit make the Colts capable of overcoming occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate championship hopes.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Last season, they were considered jokes. Today, they stand as football's most unexpected success and the hottest team in football after seven straight wins. Except for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 as the league's best. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the least challenging lineup across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been sacked 35 times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he endured during the game proved brutal. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division with seven wins, but the injuries affecting their protection unit will make it tough to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

Then we have the Steelers, surprisingly atop the Northern division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career persistently appear. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record yet still appear capable of division victory reveals much about the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the greatest concern among competitors if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, the Bills were riding high following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, look no further: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt