🔗 Share this article

No major competition markets equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through 10 weeks during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where most of the league are merely fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most well-rounded squads in football, and secured blowout wins during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 despite their struggles continue to possess among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, likewise with the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have proven they're capable of dominating strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, one can readily envision a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, championship race is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, backed by the league’s best quarterbacks, display either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC title game selections at this moment, would you comfortably choose any among the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He’s back to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and endured a short sequence in which he threw an intercepted pass and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he gave away possessions five times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts able to withstand periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Previously, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the top standing. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the least challenging lineup across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has taken sacks thirty-five times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are eight wins similarly, yet it seems as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West with seven wins, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning their division notwithstanding receiving 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, have won three consecutive. 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 highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started losing five of six and currently seem likely to claim the title reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who would still strike the highest anxiety among competitors should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.

Bills Struggles

Last week, the Bills were riding high after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in several seasons.

Should you seek an example representing the day, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt