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No league markets parity in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after ten games of this season, this is not a competition with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where the majority of teams are merely sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, for the most part, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most well-rounded squads in football, and achieved blowout wins in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 notwithstanding their difficulties still have one of the most talented rosters in the league, likewise with the Packers (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3), despite their uneven performances in trench play while managing coaching drama, have proven they're capable of dominating strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to construct a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, championship race remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and Steelers (5-4). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, backed by the league’s best quarterbacks, have either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to commit to your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you confidently pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved total collapse. However, recent performances have been worrying. He has returned to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He took seven sacks against the Falcons in the weekend game, and experienced a short sequence during which he tossed an interception and fumbled three times. This follows he turned the ball over five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense excelled during early games because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts good enough to survive 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

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad across the league following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for fumbling away a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold nine wins, one loss with the top standing. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the easiest slate across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been sacked on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – with several hits he endured during the game were vicious. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles all the heavy lifting. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division at 7-2, but the injuries within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading their division despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and still look like capable of division victory is telling about the complete conference.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the greatest concern in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, here you go: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt