From Disappointing to Defective – Are There Any Contenders Want to Secure the NFL Championship In the Current Year?

No professional sports organization promotes competitive balance in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through 10 weeks of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape featuring uniform distribution among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where the bulk of franchises appear to be sufficient.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, to some degree, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (each holding 7-2 records) look like the most complete teams in the NFL, and secured blowout wins during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 despite their struggles maintain among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, likewise with the Packers (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (six and three), who have been inconsistent in trench play and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For all five, one can readily put together a Super Bowl path.

Muddled AFC Picture

Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, have either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching this year’s four division leaders within the conference remains somewhat odd. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, yet not completely. If someone requested to commit to your AFC title game selections at this moment, would you confidently pick any of these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to pumpkin status. However, recent performances have caused alarm. He has returned to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season because Jones avoided game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his previous error-filled form would finish any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel fairly alike. A year ago, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in football following seven consecutive victories. If not for losing due to fumbles a winnable game versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the top standing. Previously, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the easiest slate in the league, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has been sacked on 35 occasions – among the highest totals – with several hits he suffered last weekend were vicious. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, with the defense doing the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West at 7-2, but the injuries along their offensive line will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop the Northern division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record yet still appear likely to claim the title is telling about the conference as a whole.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the highest anxiety for opponents should they reach postseason. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

Previously, the Bills were riding high after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered one of the most disappointing losses this year. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in over three years.

Should you seek an example representing the day, look no further: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt