🔗 Share this article From Floored to Flawed – Are There Any Contenders Actively Seeking to Win the Big Game During This Campaign? No major competition promotes competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks in this campaign, this is not a competition that is equally balanced among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league appear to be fine. NFC Standings Definition Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) seem like the most complete teams across the league, and achieved decisive victories on Sunday. The Eagles with six wins even with their challenges maintain among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, similar to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (six and three), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have proven they can hammer good teams. For all five, you can still easily put together a Super Bowl path. Muddled AFC Picture In the AFC however, championship race is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (five wins, four losses). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, possess either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries. Competitive Balance System In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC 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 AFC title game selections at this moment, could you assuredly choose any among these four teams? Franchise Analysis Colts Situation First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He’s back to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He took seven sacks against the Falcons on Sunday, and had a brief period in which he threw a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he gave away possessions on five occasions versus Pittsburgh. The Colts’ offense thrived early in the season since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers ensure Indianapolis remains able to withstand some negative plays, as demonstrated overseas. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would end postseason aspirations. Patriots Examination New England appears somewhat similar. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in football following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a winnable game versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record as the league's best. Last season, they were old and slow. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the easiest slate in the league, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been sacked 35 times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. With continued play, that punishment compounds. Broncos Situation Denver stands at also 8-2, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, with the attack struggling, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West with seven wins, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt. Steelers Examination Then we have the Steelers, surprisingly atop their division notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record and still look like they should win the division reveals much about the complete conference. Historical Favorites The Ravens' form part among three elite teams – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves. Buffalo Bills Last week, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory versus Buffalo in several seasons. For those searching for a microcosm of the day, look no further: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt