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No league markets equal footing in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league is simply adequate.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) look like the most well-rounded squads in the NFL, and achieved blowout wins on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges still have one of the most talented rosters in the league, comparable to the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have proven they can defeat good teams. For each of these squads, one can readily construct a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners in the AFC remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If someone requested to lock in your AFC title game selections today, would you comfortably select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He's reverting to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks facing Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a short sequence in which he threw a pick and fumbled three times. This follows he turned the ball over five times versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts good enough to survive some negative plays, as demonstrated overseas. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team across the league following seven consecutive victories. If not for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup versus the Steelers, they'd possess nine wins, one loss as the league's best. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. The signal-caller has been brought down 35 times – among the highest totals – including particular impacts he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos hold eight wins similarly, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues along their offensive line will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status continue to show up. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record yet still appear they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the most fear in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Bills

A week ago, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo in several seasons.

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