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No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following 10 weeks of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the majority of teams is simply adequate.

NFC Clarity

Looking at the NFC side, for the most part, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most well-rounded squads in the NFL, and achieved overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess among the most gifted lineups in the league, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1). The Lions also (6-3), who have been inconsistent on offense and defense and navigating internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they can defeat quality opponents. For all five, you can still easily construct a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture is a jumbled mess. The current division frontrunners at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, backed by elite NFL signal-callers, display either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching the current division frontrunners within the conference continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to lock in your conference championship predictions today, would you confidently pick any of the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to total collapse. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He’s back to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks against the Falcons in the weekend game, and experienced a five-minute stretch where he delivered an intercepted pass and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he committed turnovers on five occasions facing the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially since Jones evaded the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are able to withstand occasional setbacks, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would end championship hopes.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise across the league post seven wins in a row. Except for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the best record. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the least challenging lineup throughout football, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been sacked thirty-five times – among the highest totals – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division at 7-2, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career persistently appear. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record and still look like capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the most fear for opponents if they qualified. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn’t just lose versus the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

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