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No league sells parity like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after the first ten matchups during the current schedule, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams appear to be adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, for the most part, there is some clarity. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) look like the most well-rounded squads in football, and achieved blowout wins on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles continue to possess among the most gifted lineups in the league, likewise with Green Bay (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (six and three), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating quality opponents. For each of these squads, you can still easily construct a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, postseason landscape 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. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, have either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

League Equality Design

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching the current division frontrunners within the conference remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC Championship game picks right now, would you comfortably choose any among these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He has returned to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and endured a brief period in which he threw an interception and lost three fumbles. This follows he gave away possessions five separate times versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would terminate any playoff run.

New England Analysis

New England appears relatively comparable. Previously, they were considered jokes. Today, they stand as football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football post seven wins in a row. If not for committing turnover errors 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 were old and slow. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the least challenging lineup across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. Drake Maye has been sacked 35 times – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he endured during the game appeared dangerous. With continued play, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold 8–2 as well, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending within their division holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues along their offensive line will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning their division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status continue to show up. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, but Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened losing five of six and still look like likely to claim the title is telling about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

The Ravens' form part among three elite teams – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who would still strike the most fear for opponents should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

A week ago, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in several seasons.

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