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No professional sports organization markets competitive balance like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after the first ten matchups of this season, this is not a competition that is equally balanced among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams appear to be sufficient.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) appear to be the most complete teams in football, and delivered blowout wins on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles still have one of the most talented rosters throughout football, comparable to the Packers franchise (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3), with their fluctuating form on offense and defense and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can hammer good teams. For all five, you can still easily put together a championship trajectory.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring premier quarterback talent, possess either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to commit to your conference championship predictions right now, could you assuredly choose any among the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He has returned to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks facing Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and experienced a short sequence where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he gave away possessions five times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season as Jones prevented game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are capable of overcoming some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

New England Patriots

New England appears relatively comparable. A year ago, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in the NFL post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record with the best record. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They've encountered the most manageable schedule throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has taken sacks thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold 8–2 as well, 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 the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West with seven wins, but the injuries within their blocking corps will make it tough to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase persistently appear. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened losing five of six yet still appear likely to claim the title reveals much about the complete conference.

Established Contenders

The Ravens' form part among three elite teams – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the most fear in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn't simply fail versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in several seasons.

If you’re looking for a microcosm of the day, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt