No league promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following ten games in this campaign, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams are merely fine.
NFC Clarity
Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) look like the most complete teams in football, and delivered decisive victories in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles maintain one of the most talented rosters across the NFL, similar to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can defeat quality opponents. For all five, one can readily put together a route to the final game.
AFC Confusion
Over in the AFC, championship race is a jumbled mess. Your four division leaders after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, have either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.
Competitive Balance System
To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching the current division frontrunners in the AFC still feels strange. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to finalize your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you comfortably choose any among the current division frontrunners?
Team Breakdowns
Indianapolis Colts
First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He’s back to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and experienced a brief period where he delivered a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he turned the ball over five times versus Pittsburgh.
Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season because Jones avoided game-changing errors. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are able to withstand occasional setbacks, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would finish any playoff run.
Patriots Examination
New England appears relatively comparable. Previously, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in football following seven consecutive victories. Except for fumbling away a winnable game versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the top standing. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the least challenging lineup in the league, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has been brought down thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – including particular impacts he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. Over time, those beatings accumulate.
Denver Broncos
Denver stands at also 8-2, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West at 7-2, but the injuries affecting their protection unit will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.
Steelers Examination
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop the AFC North even after suffering a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened losing five of six 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 – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety among competitors if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.
Buffalo Analysis
A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.
For those searching for an example representing the day, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt
