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No professional sports organization sells parity like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises is simply adequate.

NFC Clarity

Looking at the NFC side, for the most part, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most balanced franchises in the NFL, and achieved overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges still have one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). The Lions also (6-3), despite their uneven performances in trench play and navigating internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they can defeat strong franchises. For each of these squads, you can still easily envision a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The current division frontrunners after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) along with Pittsburgh (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, backed by elite NFL signal-callers, have either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to lock in your conference championship predictions today, could you assuredly select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Colts Situation

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He's reverting to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and endured a short sequence in which he threw an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This comes after he gave away possessions five separate times facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season as Jones prevented the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line ensure Indianapolis remains good enough to survive some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would finish any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team in football post seven wins in a row. Except for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss as the league's best. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has been brought down thirty-five times – among the highest totals – including particular impacts he endured during the game appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold eight wins similarly, and the perception remains like they're nervously waiting. 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 aren’t scaring any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, but the injuries along their offensive line will present challenges to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop the Northern division even after suffering a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations during his career phase continue to show up. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like they should win the division is telling about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the highest anxiety among competitors should they reach postseason. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Last week, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback of the season. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in over three years.

For those searching for a microcosm of the day, here you go: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt