🔗 Share this article From Floored to Flawed – Does Anyone Want to Secure the NFL Championship In the Current Year? No league promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following ten games of this season, this is not a competition with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where the bulk of franchises are merely adequate. NFC Clarity In the NFC, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) seem like the most well-rounded squads in football, and delivered decisive victories in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters in the league, similar to the Packers (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (six and three), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage while managing internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they're capable of dominating strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily envision a championship trajectory. AFC Playoff Chaos Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture is a jumbled mess. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, backed by elite NFL signal-callers, display either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries. Competitive Balance System To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Areas of each team meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to finalize your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly choose any among the current division frontrunners? Team Breakdowns Indianapolis Colts Starting in Indianapolis, their quarterback hasn't descended to complete disaster level. However, recent performances have been worrying. He has returned to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a five-minute stretch during which he tossed a pick and lost three fumbles. This comes after he committed turnovers five times against the Steelers. Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate postseason aspirations. Patriots Examination The Patriots seem fairly alike. Previously, they were a punchline. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in football following seven consecutive victories. Except for fumbling away a winnable game facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record as the league's best. Previously, they were old and slow. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been brought down on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. With continued play, those hits add up. Broncos Situation The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has been erratic, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West holding a 7-2 record, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will make it tough to achieve championship contention. Pittsburgh Steelers And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop their division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. They have a negative point differential, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 and currently seem likely to claim the title is telling 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, who could still create the highest anxiety among competitors should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct. Bills Struggles Previously, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in over three years. Should you seek an example representing the day, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt