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No major competition promotes competitive balance like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following the first ten matchups in this campaign, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams is simply adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) seem like the most balanced franchises in football, and delivered overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 despite their struggles continue to possess one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, comparable to the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have proven they can hammer strong franchises. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to put together a Super Bowl path.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, have either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to finalize your AFC title game selections right now, could you assuredly choose any among the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He’s back to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a five-minute stretch in which he threw an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he gave away possessions five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially as Jones prevented the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would terminate any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel relatively comparable. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team across the league following seven consecutive victories. If not for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss with the best record. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the most manageable schedule throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has taken sacks on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he endured during the game proved brutal. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending within their division with seven wins, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will present challenges for extended playoff success.

Steelers Examination

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading their division notwithstanding receiving 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status persistently appear. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like capable of division victory is telling about the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment 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 represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Bills

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't merely fall against Miami; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in several seasons.

Should you seek an example representing the day, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt