No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after the first ten matchups during the current schedule, this is not a competition with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where most of the league appear to be adequate.
NFC Clarity
Looking at the NFC side, at least, the picture becomes more distinct. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) seem like the most well-rounded squads in football, and delivered blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, likewise with the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (6-3), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they're capable of dominating strong franchises. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to construct a championship trajectory.
AFC Playoff Chaos
Turning to the American Football Conference, championship race is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and Steelers (5-4 record). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, supported by premier quarterback talent, possess either significant personnel gaps or are dealing with health issues.
League Equality Design
In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders within the conference remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If you were asked to lock in your AFC Championship game picks right now, would you confidently select any one of the four division leaders?
Squad Examinations
Indianapolis Outlook
First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved total collapse. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He's reverting to turning over the ball and struggling against pressure. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and had a brief period in which he threw a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he gave away possessions five separate times against the Steelers.
Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand some negative plays, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his previous error-filled form would terminate any playoff run.
Patriots Examination
The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Previously, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise in the NFL after seven straight wins. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record as the league's best. Previously, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the least challenging lineup in the league, and there have still been cracks. The signal-caller has been brought down on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.
Broncos Situation
The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems affecting their protection unit will make it tough to achieve championship contention.
Steelers Examination
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop the Northern division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, are on a three-game win streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started losing five of six and currently seem capable of division victory is telling about the conference as a whole.
Historical Favorites
The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they qualified. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.
Buffalo Bills
Previously, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats during the campaign. They didn't merely fall against Miami; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in several seasons.
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