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No professional sports organization promotes parity like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. But through ten games during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams is simply fine.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, for the most part, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most balanced franchises in football, and delivered blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles maintain one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), despite their uneven performances in trench play while managing internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they can defeat strong franchises. For all five, it's straightforward to envision a championship trajectory.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, supported by the league’s best quarterbacks, display either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching this year’s four division leaders in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly pick any of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He has returned to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and endured a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he gave away possessions five times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit make the Colts good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would finish any playoff run.

New England Analysis

New England appears somewhat similar. Last season, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team across the league following seven consecutive victories. Except for fumbling away a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the best record. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Now they’re inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've played against the most manageable schedule in the league, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has been brought down on 35 occasions – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend were vicious. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate playoff opponents. The Chargers are also hovering in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, yet medical problems along their offensive line will make it tough to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading the Northern division despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, but Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started losing five of six yet still appear capable of division victory reveals much about the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the most fear for opponents if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn't merely fall against Miami; they suffered humiliation, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

For those searching for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt