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No major competition sells parity like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams is simply sufficient.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) look like the most balanced franchises across the league, and achieved decisive victories on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, similar to the Packers (5-2-1). Detroit as well (6-3), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage and navigating internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they can hammer good teams. For each of these squads, you can still easily put together a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. Kansas City isn't there. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, have either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to finalize your conference championship predictions at this moment, could you assuredly pick any of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn't descended to total collapse. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He’s back to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and endured a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and lost three fumbles. This comes after he committed turnovers five times versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games as Jones prevented game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his previous error-filled form would end championship hopes.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. A year ago, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team across the league following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 with the best record. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the easiest slate throughout football, and there have still been cracks. The signal-caller has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he suffered last weekend proved brutal. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, yet it seems as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries within their blocking corps will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading the Northern division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. The fact Baltimore began with a 1-5 record and currently seem they should win the division reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the greatest concern in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

A week ago, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

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