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No major competition sells equal footing in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams are merely sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most well-rounded squads across the league, and achieved decisive victories on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges maintain among the most gifted lineups in the league, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1). Detroit as well (6-3), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can hammer good teams. For each of these squads, you can still easily put together a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. Historically strong franchises, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Components of every squad suggest title potential, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to commit to your conference championship predictions right now, would you confidently pick any of the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. However, recent performances have been worrying. He has returned to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks against the Falcons in the weekend game, and endured a brief period in which he threw an interception and lost three fumbles. This follows he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season because Jones avoided the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are good enough to survive occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his previous error-filled form would terminate postseason aspirations.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. A year ago, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in the NFL after seven straight wins. Except for fumbling away a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss as the league's best. Previously, they appeared aged and sluggish. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. However, we must acknowledge the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the easiest slate throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has been brought down thirty-five times – among the highest totals – with several hits he endured during the game appeared dangerous. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are eight wins similarly, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos aren’t scaring playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries affecting their protection unit will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning their division notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. They have a negative point differential, their defense too often disappears, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status continue to show up. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began with a 1-5 record and currently seem capable of division victory reveals much about the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who could still create the greatest concern in opposing teams if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn't simply fail against Miami; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in over three years.

For those searching for a microcosm of the day, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt