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No major competition sells equal footing like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the bulk of franchises are merely adequate.

NFC Clarity

Looking at the NFC side, for the most part, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most balanced franchises in football, and delivered decisive victories in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles still have among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). Detroit as well (six and three), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can defeat good teams. For each of these squads, one can readily envision a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Take another look. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either obvious team deficiencies or are dealing with health issues.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching the current division frontrunners in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to commit to your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, could you assuredly choose any among the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't yet achieved total collapse. However, recent performances have caused alarm. He's reverting to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a brief period where he delivered an intercepted pass and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he gave away possessions on five occasions facing the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense excelled during early games because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Previously, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise across the league post seven wins in a row. Except for losing due to fumbles a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold at 9–1 with the best record. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the most manageable schedule throughout football, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has taken sacks on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – with several hits he suffered last weekend were vicious. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division with seven wins, but the injuries along their offensive line will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. They have a negative point differential, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. The fact Baltimore began with a 1-5 record and currently seem likely to claim the title speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety among competitors if they made the playoffs. 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 after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't merely fall against Miami; they suffered humiliation, losing 30-13 as visitors. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in several seasons.

For those searching for a perfect summary of Sunday, look no further: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt