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No professional sports organization markets parity in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through ten games in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. It’s one where most of the league are merely fine.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, at least, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and delivered decisive victories on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties maintain a deeply skilled squad throughout football, likewise with Green Bay (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), with their fluctuating form in trench play and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can defeat strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, one can readily envision a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

Over in the AFC, championship race is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, supported by elite NFL signal-callers, have either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to commit to your conference championship predictions right now, would you comfortably pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn't descended to complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He’s back to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and experienced a short sequence in which he threw an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he committed turnovers five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers ensure Indianapolis remains good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would end postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. Except for fumbling away a contest they should have won versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the top standing. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've played against the easiest slate across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been sacked on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he endured during the game proved brutal. With continued play, that punishment compounds.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos hold eight wins similarly, and the perception remains like they're nervously waiting. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West at 7-2, but the injuries within their blocking corps will make it tough for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then we have the Steelers, surprisingly atop the Northern division despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and facing easier opponents, 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. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and still look like likely to claim the title is telling about the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the highest anxiety for opponents should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Bills

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses this year. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

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