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No major competition markets equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after ten games during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where most of the league is simply adequate.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and secured blowout wins during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (six and three), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage while managing tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For all five, one can readily put together a Super Bowl path.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Read that again. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching this season's top AFC teams within the conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to lock in your conference championship predictions at this moment, would you comfortably choose any among the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and endured a short sequence in which he threw an intercepted pass and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he committed turnovers on five occasions facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are able to withstand periodic mistakes, as demonstrated overseas. Yet Jones going back to his old blunder-prone days would finish championship hopes.

New England Analysis

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Last season, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football post seven wins in a row. Except for committing turnover errors a winnable game versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the best record. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the easiest slate in the league, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has taken sacks 35 times – among the highest totals – including particular impacts he endured during the game proved brutal. With continued play, that punishment compounds.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at 8–2 as well, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending within their division at 7-2, yet medical problems affecting their protection unit will make it tough for extended playoff success.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop their division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like capable of division victory reveals much about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for an example representing the day, look no further: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt