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No professional sports organization markets equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following ten games in this campaign, this is not a competition featuring uniform distribution separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams appear to be fine.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, for the most part, the picture becomes more distinct. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most balanced franchises across the league, and achieved decisive victories during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles notwithstanding their difficulties still have one of the most talented rosters in the league, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (six and three), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and navigating coaching drama, have shown they can hammer strong franchises. For each of these squads, you can still easily construct a Super Bowl path.

AFC Playoff Chaos

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 (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, have either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, though not comprehensively. If someone requested to commit to your conference championship predictions right now, could you assuredly choose any among the four division leaders?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't descended to pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He's reverting to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a five-minute stretch in which he threw an interception and lost three fumbles. This follows he gave away possessions five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season since Jones evaded game-changing errors. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are capable of overcoming some negative plays, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would finish any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Previously, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re football's most unexpected success and the hottest team in the NFL post seven wins in a row. If not for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the top standing. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the most manageable schedule throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has been sacked 35 times – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Bo Nix 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. The Chargers are also hovering in the Western division at 7-2, yet medical problems affecting their protection unit will present challenges to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started losing five of six and still look like capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment among three elite teams – together with Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the greatest concern for opponents if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't simply fail versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in several seasons.

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