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No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following the first ten matchups of this season, this is not a competition that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where most of the league are merely fine.

NFC Clarity

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) seem like the most complete teams across the league, and secured blowout wins during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 notwithstanding their difficulties maintain among the most gifted lineups in the league, likewise with the Packers (5-2-1). Even the Lions (six and three), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense and have been dealing with coaching drama, have proven they can defeat good teams. Regarding these five teams, one can readily put together a championship trajectory.

AFC Confusion

Turning to the American Football Conference, championship race is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, backed by the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching this season's top AFC teams within the conference still feels strange. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If someone requested to lock in your AFC title game selections at this moment, would you confidently select any one of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't descended to complete disaster level. However, recent performances have raised concerns. He’s back to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and had a brief period where he delivered an intercepted pass and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he committed turnovers five times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack excelled during early games because Jones avoided the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand occasional setbacks, as demonstrated overseas. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would terminate postseason aspirations.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem fairly alike. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad across the league post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting at 9–1 as the league's best. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has taken sacks on 35 occasions – among the highest totals – including particular impacts he endured during the game appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Bo Nix has been erratic, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems affecting their protection unit will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading their division notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and currently seem capable of division victory reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the greatest concern in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback of the season. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in several seasons.

If you’re looking for a microcosm of the day, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt