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No professional sports organization sells competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. But through 10 weeks in this campaign, this is not a competition featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the majority of teams appear to be sufficient.

NFC Clarity

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most well-rounded squads in the NFL, and delivered decisive victories on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to Green Bay (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they're capable of dominating good teams. Regarding these five teams, one can readily envision a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to lock in your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly pick any of these four teams?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. However, recent performances have been worrying. He’s back to turning over the ball and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times against the Falcons on Sunday, and had a five-minute stretch where he delivered a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he gave away possessions on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts good enough to survive occasional setbacks, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would terminate postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. Last season, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise in the NFL post seven wins in a row. If not for fumbling away a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the best record. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the least challenging lineup across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. The signal-caller has been sacked on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – with several hits he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Bo Nix has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring playoff opponents. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West holding a 7-2 record, yet medical problems affecting their protection unit will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading the Northern division notwithstanding receiving 25-10 by the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened losing five of six and currently seem capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the greatest concern for opponents if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt