No league markets competitive balance like the NFL: it defines their identity. However, after the first ten matchups in this campaign, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where most of the league appear to be fine.
Clear Picture in NFC
In the NFC, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most balanced franchises in football, and achieved blowout wins on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges maintain a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent on offense and defense while managing internal staff conflicts, have proven they're capable of dominating good teams. For all five, one can readily construct a championship trajectory.
Muddled AFC Picture
In the AFC however, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, backed by elite NFL signal-callers, display either obvious team deficiencies or are dealing with health issues.
League Equality Design
To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. But watching this season's top AFC teams in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If you were asked to commit to your AFC title game selections right now, would you confidently select any one of these four teams?
Franchise Analysis
Colts Situation
Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks against the Falcons on Sunday, and endured a brief period in which he threw a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he turned the ball over five separate times against the Steelers.
The Colts’ offense performed well initially since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would finish championship hopes.
Patriots Examination
The Patriots seem somewhat similar. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad across the league following seven consecutive victories. If not for fumbling away a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold at 9–1 as the league's best. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the least challenging lineup in the league, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been brought down thirty-five times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.
Denver Analysis
The Broncos are also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will create difficulties for extended playoff success.
Pittsburgh Situation
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading their division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career persistently appear. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, though the speed of this shift represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started losing five of six and currently seem capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.
Traditional Powers
The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the highest anxiety among competitors if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills 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 of the season. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.
Should you seek a microcosm of the day, consider this: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt
