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No league promotes parity as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. Yet following the first ten matchups in this campaign, this is not a competition with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where most of the league appear to be sufficient.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, there is some clarity. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) look like the most complete teams across the league, and delivered blowout wins during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges maintain among the most gifted lineups throughout football, comparable to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (6-3), with their fluctuating form in trench play while managing tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to construct a route to the final game.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape is a jumbled mess. The current division frontrunners at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, supported by premier quarterback talent, possess either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

From certain perspectives, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to finalize your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you comfortably select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He's reverting to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a five-minute stretch where he delivered an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This follows he turned the ball over five separate times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, as demonstrated overseas. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would end any playoff run.

New England Analysis

The Patriots seem fairly alike. Previously, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise in football post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a manageable matchup versus the Steelers, they would currently hold nine wins, one loss with the top standing. Previously, they were old and slow. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the most manageable schedule throughout football, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has taken sacks thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he endured during the game appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West with seven wins, however, health issues within their blocking corps will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop their division even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and still look like they should win the division is telling about the entire AFC.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens' form part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

Previously, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in over three years.

If you’re looking for an example representing the day, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt