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No professional sports organization sells parity like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. But through 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams appear to be adequate.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) look like the most well-rounded squads across the league, and secured overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges continue to possess a deeply skilled squad in the league, comparable to Green Bay (5-2-1). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent on offense and defense and have been dealing with coaching drama, have proven they can defeat strong franchises. For all five, it's straightforward to put together a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, backed by elite NFL signal-callers, possess either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, yet not completely. If you were asked to commit to your AFC title game selections at this moment, would you confidently select any one of these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't descended to total collapse. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He has returned to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and experienced a five-minute stretch where he delivered an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This comes after he gave away possessions five separate times facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand occasional setbacks, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel relatively comparable. A year ago, they were a punchline. Today, they stand as the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in football after seven straight wins. If not for committing turnover errors a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the top standing. Last season, they were old and slow. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the least challenging lineup in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been brought down 35 times – the second-most in football – with several hits he endured during the game were vicious. Over time, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending within their division at 7-2, however, health issues along their offensive line will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop the AFC North notwithstanding receiving 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started losing five of six and still look like likely to claim the title reveals much about the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the greatest concern in opposing teams if they qualified. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in over three years.

For those searching for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt