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No major competition markets equal footing in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after ten games of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where the bulk of franchises is simply fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Looking at the NFC side, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and achieved blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles continue to possess a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have shown they're capable of dominating quality opponents. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to envision a Super Bowl path.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (5-4 record). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, display either obvious team deficiencies or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to finalize your AFC title game selections right now, would you comfortably pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

First, examining Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved complete disaster level. However, recent performances have been worrying. He has returned to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and had a five-minute stretch where he delivered a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he committed turnovers five times versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season since Jones evaded game-changing errors. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as demonstrated overseas. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would finish championship hopes.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Last season, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise across the league after seven straight wins. If not for fumbling away a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold nine wins, one loss with the best record. Last season, they were old and slow. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the least challenging lineup throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has been brought down 35 times – among the highest totals – with several hits he suffered last weekend were vicious. Over time, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos are eight wins similarly, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, 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 create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning their division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 yet still appear likely to claim the title reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who would still strike the most fear among competitors if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in over three years.

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