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No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after ten games during the current schedule, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the bulk of franchises is simply fine.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, for the most part, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) seem like the most balanced franchises across the league, and secured overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess one of the most talented rosters throughout football, likewise with the Packers franchise (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form in trench play while managing internal staff conflicts, have shown they can defeat quality opponents. For all five, it's straightforward to envision a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, have either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching this season's top AFC teams within the conference remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to finalize your conference championship predictions at this moment, would you confidently choose any among these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't descended to complete disaster level. However, recent performances have been worrying. He has returned to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and endured a short sequence during which he tossed an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This comes after he committed turnovers five separate times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season because Jones avoided game-changing errors. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand periodic mistakes, as demonstrated overseas. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would end postseason aspirations.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem fairly alike. Previously, they were a punchline. Now, they’re football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise across the league after seven straight wins. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the top standing. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the least challenging lineup across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries along their offensive line will present challenges to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health 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 within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started losing five of six and still look like capable of division victory reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who could still create the most fear in opposing teams should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn’t just lose versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt