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No major competition promotes parity as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. However, after the first ten matchups of this season, this is not a competition with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league are merely fine.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, for the most part, the picture becomes more distinct. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most balanced franchises in football, and delivered blowout wins during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, similar to the Packers (5-2-1). Even the Lions (six and three), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have shown they can hammer strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, one can readily envision a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, championship race is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring elite NFL signal-callers, have either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams within the conference continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad suggest title potential, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to commit to your AFC title game selections at this moment, would you confidently select any one of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He’s back to turning over the ball and struggling against pressure. He took seven sacks facing Atlanta on Sunday, and had a brief period in which he threw a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he turned the ball over five times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line mean the Colts are capable of overcoming some negative plays, as demonstrated overseas. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would end postseason aspirations.

New England Patriots

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Last season, they were considered jokes. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in football post seven wins in a row. Except for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the best record. Last season, they were old and slow. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. The signal-caller has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – with several hits he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at 8–2 as well, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West with seven wins, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will make it tough to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, but Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly represents criticism toward the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and still look like they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety for opponents if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn’t just lose versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo in several seasons.

For those searching for a microcosm of the day, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt