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No league promotes parity as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the bulk of franchises is simply adequate.

NFC Standings Definition

Within the National Football Conference, for the most part, there is some clarity. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) appear to be the most well-rounded squads in football, and secured decisive victories on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters in the league, similar to the Packers franchise (5-2-1). 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. For all five, you can still easily put together a Super Bowl path.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (5-4 record). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, supported by the league’s best quarterbacks, display either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

Competitive Balance System

To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to commit to your AFC Championship game picks right now, could you assuredly select any one of the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn’t quite reached total collapse. Yet the past two games have raised concerns. He has returned to giving away possessions and struggling against pressure. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and experienced a short sequence during which he tossed an intercepted pass and fumbled three times. This comes after he gave away possessions on five occasions facing the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains good enough to survive occasional setbacks, as demonstrated overseas. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would terminate any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem relatively comparable. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record as the league's best. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Currently they're young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the easiest slate across the NFL, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has been brought down 35 times – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. As the season progresses, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos hold also 8-2, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West with seven wins, but the injuries affecting their protection unit will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning their division despite being thumped 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have pulled within a game of the Steelers, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started losing five of six and still look like they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Bills

Previously, the Bills felt confident post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered among the season's worst defeats of the season. They didn't simply fail against Miami; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt