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No major competition sells parity as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. But through 10 weeks during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league is simply adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and achieved overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges still have a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, likewise with Green Bay (five wins, two losses, one tie). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage while managing tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating good teams. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to envision a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. Historically strong franchises, backed by elite NFL signal-callers, display either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to commit to your AFC Championship game picks right now, would you comfortably select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to total collapse. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He's reverting to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and had a brief period where he delivered a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he turned the ball over on five occasions against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially because Jones avoided game-changing errors. The running back and protection unit make the Colts able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate championship hopes.

New England Patriots

New England appears relatively comparable. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football after seven straight wins. If not for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record as the league's best. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the least challenging lineup across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has been brought down on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – with several hits he suffered last weekend proved brutal. Over time, that punishment compounds.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering within their division at 7-2, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading the AFC North notwithstanding receiving 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record yet still appear capable of division victory is telling about the complete conference.

Historical Favorites

Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the greatest concern in opposing teams if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

A week ago, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in over three years.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt