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No major competition markets parity as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. Yet following 10 weeks of this season, this is not a competition that is equally balanced among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where most of the league is simply sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most well-rounded squads across the league, and secured blowout wins on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles notwithstanding their difficulties maintain one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, likewise with the Packers (5-2-1). The Lions also (six and three), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense and navigating internal staff conflicts, have proven they can hammer strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to construct a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, championship race remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring premier quarterback talent, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Components of every squad meet championship standards, though not comprehensively. If someone requested to commit to your conference championship predictions today, could you assuredly choose any among the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and had a brief period during which he tossed an interception and lost three fumbles. This follows he turned the ball over five times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would end any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

New England appears fairly alike. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise in football post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for fumbling away a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the best record. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the most manageable schedule throughout football, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has taken sacks on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos hold eight wins similarly, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West with seven wins, however, health issues within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 and still look like they should win the division is telling about the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the most fear for opponents if they qualified. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in several seasons.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, look no further: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt