🔗 Share this article

No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through the first ten matchups 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 the bulk of franchises is simply fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) seem like the most balanced franchises in football, and delivered overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges maintain one of the most talented rosters in the league, likewise with the Packers franchise (5-2-1). Detroit as well (6-3), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage while managing tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can defeat good teams. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to put together a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape is a jumbled mess. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (5-4). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, supported by premier quarterback talent, display either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, it’s the league’s ideal. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise suggest title potential, yet not completely. Were you questioned to lock in your conference championship predictions today, could you assuredly pick any of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved total collapse. However, recent performances have raised concerns. He’s back to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times against the Falcons in the weekend game, and experienced a brief period where he delivered an interception and fumbled three times. This is a week after he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially since Jones evaded game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are capable of overcoming occasional setbacks, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would terminate any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel relatively comparable. Last season, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team in the NFL after seven straight wins. Had it not been for fumbling away a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold nine wins, one loss as the league's best. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the easiest slate across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has been sacked on 35 occasions – among the highest totals – including particular impacts he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are also 8-2, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West at 7-2, however, health issues within their blocking corps will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop their division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status persistently appear. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed 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 yet still appear capable of division victory reveals much about the entire AFC.

Historical Favorites

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the greatest concern for opponents should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, the Bills were riding high following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback of the season. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, falling 30-13 on the road. This represented Miami's initial victory versus Buffalo in over three years.

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