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No league markets equal footing in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the majority of teams appear to be fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most well-rounded squads across the league, and secured overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles still have a deeply skilled squad throughout football, likewise with the Packers (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3), with their fluctuating form in trench play and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can hammer strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, one can readily construct a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (5-4 record). Take another look. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, have either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to lock in your AFC Championship game picks today, would you comfortably pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to total collapse. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He has returned to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a five-minute stretch where he delivered an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This follows he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense thrived early in the season because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are able to withstand occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish postseason aspirations.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football post seven wins in a row. Except for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the top standing. Previously, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the least challenging lineup throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has been sacked on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West at 7-2, however, health issues along their offensive line will make it tough for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading their division even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. 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 represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 and currently seem capable of division victory is telling about the complete conference.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety among competitors should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't simply fail versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in over three years.

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