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No professional sports organization sells equal footing like the NFL: it defines their identity. Yet following ten games in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams appear to be fine.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most well-rounded squads across the league, and achieved overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges still have among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, likewise with the Packers franchise (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3), who have been inconsistent in trench play and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For each of these squads, one can readily envision a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The traditional powers, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing the current division frontrunners within the conference continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to commit to your conference championship predictions today, would you comfortably select any one of these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

Starting in Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn’t quite reached total collapse. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He has returned to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and endured a five-minute stretch in which he threw an interception and fumbled three times. This follows he committed turnovers five times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack excelled during early games since Jones evaded the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are capable of overcoming some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

New England appears fairly alike. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad across the league following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for fumbling away a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss as the league's best. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has been brought down thirty-five times – among the highest totals – including particular impacts he endured during the game were vicious. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Broncos

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has been erratic, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries along their offensive line will make it tough to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations at this stage of his career regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 and still look like likely to claim the title is telling about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who could still create the most fear for opponents should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in over three years.

Should you seek an example representing the day, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt