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No major competition promotes equal footing like the NFL: it defines their identity. But through 10 weeks in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises is simply adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most well-rounded squads in football, and secured overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles maintain among the most gifted lineups in the league, likewise with the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (six and three), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating strong franchises. For each of these squads, you can still easily construct a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, backed by the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either significant personnel gaps or are dealing with health issues.

League Equality Design

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad meet championship standards, though not comprehensively. If someone requested to lock in your AFC title game selections right now, would you comfortably pick any of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He has returned to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks facing Atlanta on Sunday, and had a five-minute stretch in which he threw an intercepted pass and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he gave away possessions five times facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season since Jones evaded game-changing errors. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are good enough to survive some negative plays, 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 relatively comparable. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. Except for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they'd possess at 9–1 with the top standing. Last season, they were old and slow. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the easiest slate in the league, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has been brought down 35 times – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. Over time, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the Western division with seven wins, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status persistently appear. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 yet still appear likely to claim the title reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens' form part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the highest anxiety for opponents if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt