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No professional sports organization promotes parity as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after ten games in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams is simply sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, for the most part, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most balanced franchises in the NFL, and delivered blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles maintain one of the most talented rosters throughout football, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3), despite their uneven performances in trench play while managing tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer good teams. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily envision a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Read that again. No Chiefs presence. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, supported by premier quarterback talent, display either significant personnel gaps or are dealing with health issues.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching this year’s four division leaders within the conference continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to lock in your conference championship predictions today, could you assuredly pick any of the four division leaders?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He has returned to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks against the Falcons in the weekend game, and experienced a brief period in which he threw an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he gave away possessions five times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially since Jones evaded game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are good enough to survive occasional setbacks, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would end any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise in the NFL after seven straight wins. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won versus the Steelers, they'd possess a 9-1 record as the league's best. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been sacked 35 times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. With continued play, those hits add up.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring playoff opponents. The Chargers are also hovering within their division at 7-2, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading the AFC North despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and still look like likely to claim the title speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the greatest concern in opposing teams if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in over three years.

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