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No league sells parity in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after the first ten matchups of this season, this is not a competition featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where the bulk of franchises are merely adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) appear to be the most balanced franchises across the league, and secured overwhelming triumphs on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles still have one of the most talented rosters in the league, similar to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), despite their uneven performances in trench play and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can defeat strong franchises. For each of these squads, you can still easily construct a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

Over in the AFC, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. Historically strong franchises, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, display either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams within the conference still feels strange. Areas of each team suggest title potential, yet not completely. Were you questioned to lock in your AFC Championship game picks right now, could you assuredly pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He's reverting to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He suffered seven sacks against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and endured a short sequence during which he tossed an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This follows he committed turnovers on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit make the Colts capable of overcoming occasional setbacks, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would end championship hopes.

Patriots Examination

New England appears relatively comparable. Last season, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in football after seven straight wins. Except for committing turnover errors a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss as the league's best. Previously, they were old and slow. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the most manageable schedule throughout football, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has been erratic, with the attack struggling, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending within their division at 7-2, however, health issues within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading the Northern division even after suffering a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win 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 is an indictment of Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record yet still appear likely to claim the title speaks volumes regarding the complete conference.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment 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 in opposing teams if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, the Bills were riding high after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a microcosm of the day, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt