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No professional sports organization sells competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. But through the first ten matchups during the current schedule, this is not a competition featuring uniform distribution separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league appear to be adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, at least, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most balanced franchises in football, and delivered blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles still have a deeply skilled squad throughout football, similar to the Packers (5-2-1). Even the Lions (six and three), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense while managing coaching drama, have demonstrated they can defeat quality opponents. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily envision a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, supported by the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

League Equality Design

To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team suggest title potential, yet not completely. If you were asked to commit to your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly select any one of these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He's reverting 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 fumbled three times. This comes after he gave away possessions five times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are able to withstand some negative plays, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would end any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football post seven wins in a row. If not for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 with the best record. Last season, they were old and slow. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the easiest slate throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has taken sacks on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he suffered last weekend were vicious. Over time, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division with seven wins, 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 their division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 yet still appear they should win the division reveals much about the complete conference.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety for opponents should they reach postseason. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn’t just lose versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in several seasons.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, consider this: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt