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No professional sports organization sells parity in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league appear to be sufficient.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most well-rounded squads in football, and achieved decisive victories in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges still have among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1). The Lions also (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form in trench play and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating good teams. Regarding these five teams, one can readily put together a championship trajectory.

AFC Confusion

Over in the AFC, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching the current division frontrunners in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to finalize your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you confidently choose any among these four teams?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn't descended to complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He's reverting to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a brief period during which he tossed an intercepted pass and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he turned the ball over on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would end any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

New England appears relatively comparable. Previously, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise in football post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the top standing. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the easiest slate throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has been sacked on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

Denver stands at also 8-2, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Bo Nix has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues within their blocking corps will present challenges to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading the AFC North despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, but how rapidly this occurred highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like they should win the division reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the most fear in opposing teams if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, 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: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt