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No league promotes parity in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. Yet following 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where most of the league is simply sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most balanced franchises in football, and achieved decisive victories during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges still have among the most gifted lineups in the league, similar to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they can defeat strong franchises. For all five, it's straightforward to put together a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. Historically strong franchises, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, display either significant personnel gaps or are dealing with health issues.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Areas of each team pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If someone requested to lock in your conference championship predictions today, could you assuredly select any one of these four teams?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He’s back to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks facing Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a short sequence where he delivered a pick and lost three fumbles. This follows he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially as Jones prevented game-changing errors. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand periodic mistakes, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would terminate postseason aspirations.

New England Analysis

The Patriots feel fairly alike. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in the NFL after seven straight wins. If not for fumbling away a contest they should have won versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record with the top standing. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the easiest slate across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he endured during the game were vicious. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold eight wins similarly, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the Western division with seven wins, but the injuries within their blocking corps will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop the AFC North even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started losing five of six and currently seem capable of division victory reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

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 highest anxiety in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

Previously, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in over three years.

Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt