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No league promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after the first ten matchups of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams appear to be fine.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) seem like the most well-rounded squads in the NFL, and achieved blowout wins on Sunday. Philadelphia at 6-2 despite their struggles continue to possess one of the most talented rosters in the league, similar to Green Bay (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage while managing tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating good teams. For all five, one can readily envision a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (5-4). Take another look. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, display either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

Competitive Balance System

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching this season's top AFC teams within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If you were asked to lock in your AFC Championship game picks today, would you comfortably choose any among the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He's reverting to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a short sequence in which he threw a pick and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he gave away possessions on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack excelled during early games as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts capable of overcoming occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would terminate any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

New England appears relatively comparable. A year ago, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team in the NFL after seven straight wins. Except for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the top standing. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the most manageable schedule in the league, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has taken sacks on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. With continued play, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Bo Nix has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division at 7-2, however, health issues along their offensive line will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, inexplicably frontrunning their division notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and currently seem they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the greatest concern among competitors should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt