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No professional sports organization sells equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through ten games in this campaign, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where most of the league are merely adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, at least, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) look like the most balanced franchises in the NFL, and achieved decisive victories during Sunday's action. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties still have one of the most talented rosters throughout football, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have shown they can hammer strong franchises. For all five, one can readily put together a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

In the AFC however, championship race remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If you were asked to finalize your AFC title game selections right now, could you assuredly pick any of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't descended to pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He has returned to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a brief period where he delivered an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This is a week after he committed turnovers five separate times versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts capable of overcoming occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his old blunder-prone days would finish championship hopes.

New England Patriots

New England appears somewhat similar. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise across the league after seven straight wins. If not for fumbling away a contest they should have won versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the top standing. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has been brought down 35 times – the second-most in football – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. Over time, those hits add up.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos hold eight wins similarly, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West at 7-2, but the injuries within their blocking corps will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, 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, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 yet still appear they should win the division is telling about the complete conference.

Established Contenders

The Ravens' form part among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety for opponents if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

For those searching for an example representing the day, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt