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No professional sports organization sells parity as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through ten games in this campaign, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. It’s one where the bulk of franchises appear to be adequate.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most complete teams in football, and achieved blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties maintain one of the most talented rosters in the league, likewise with the Packers (5-2-1 record). 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're capable of dominating strong franchises. For all five, you can still easily envision a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, have either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to commit to your AFC Championship game picks today, would you comfortably pick any of the four division leaders?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He has returned to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and experienced a brief period where he delivered an interception and lost three fumbles. This follows he turned the ball over five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially since Jones evaded the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts able to withstand some negative plays, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would finish postseason aspirations.

New England Analysis

The Patriots feel relatively comparable. Previously, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in football post seven wins in a row. If not for fumbling away a manageable matchup versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the top standing. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the least challenging lineup in the league, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has taken sacks thirty-five times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend proved brutal. Over time, that punishment compounds.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos hold 8–2 as well, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division at 7-2, however, health issues within their blocking corps will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning their division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase 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. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. The fact Baltimore began losing five of six and still look like they should win the division is telling about the complete conference.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the most fear for opponents if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't simply fail versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in several seasons.

For those searching for a perfect summary of Sunday, look no further: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt