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No league promotes equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through ten games during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league are merely fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most balanced franchises in the NFL, and delivered blowout wins on Sunday. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (6-3), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have proven they can hammer good teams. For each of these squads, you can still easily envision a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, featuring premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If you were asked to finalize your AFC title game selections right now, could you assuredly select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't descended to complete disaster level. However, recent performances have been worrying. He's reverting to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a brief period where he delivered a pick and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he turned the ball over five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate championship hopes.

New England Patriots

New England appears fairly alike. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as football's most unexpected success and the hottest team in the NFL post seven wins in a row. If not for losing due to fumbles a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the best record. Previously, they were old and slow. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the most manageable schedule in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has taken sacks thirty-five times – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering within their division with seven wins, but the injuries along their offensive line will present challenges to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop the Northern division notwithstanding receiving 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career continue to show up. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled within a game of the Steelers, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record yet still appear they should win the division reveals much about the complete conference.

Historical Favorites

Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the greatest concern 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

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback of the season. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in several seasons.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt