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No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance like the NFL: it defines their identity. However, after 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises appear to be adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, at least, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most complete teams in football, and delivered overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess among the most gifted lineups in the league, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1). Even the Lions (six and three), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can defeat good teams. For all five, it's straightforward to construct a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, championship race is a jumbled mess. Your four division leaders at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, have either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly select any one of these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and endured a five-minute stretch during which he tossed an interception and fumbled three times. This is a week after he committed turnovers five times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games since Jones evaded game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would terminate postseason aspirations.

New England Analysis

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Last season, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. Except for fumbling away a manageable matchup facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the best record. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has taken sacks thirty-five times – the second-most in football – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. Over time, that punishment compounds.

Denver Broncos

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles all the heavy lifting. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending within their division with seven wins, however, health issues along their offensive line will make it tough to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop the AFC North even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 yet still appear capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the most fear for opponents if they made the playoffs. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt