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No professional sports organization sells competitive balance like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following ten games during the current schedule, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises are merely fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Looking at the NFC side, at least, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and secured blowout wins during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges maintain one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form in trench play while managing internal staff conflicts, have proven they can defeat quality opponents. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to envision a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

Competitive Balance System

To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. But watching this season's top AFC teams in the AFC remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to commit to your AFC Championship game picks right now, would you confidently pick any of these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't yet achieved complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He has returned to turning over the ball and struggling against pressure. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he turned the ball over five times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season because Jones avoided the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his old blunder-prone days would finish championship hopes.

Patriots Examination

New England appears relatively comparable. Previously, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in football after seven straight wins. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a winnable game versus the Steelers, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the top standing. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the most manageable schedule in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been sacked 35 times – the second-most in football – with several hits he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. With continued play, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are eight wins similarly, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, with the defense doing most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues within their blocking corps will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations during his career phase regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 yet still appear capable of division victory reveals much about the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the most fear in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in over three years.

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