From Floored to Flawed – Are There Any Contenders Want to Claim Victory in the NFL Championship This Season?

No professional sports organization markets parity as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. But through 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. Rather, we see a situation where the majority of teams appear to be sufficient.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, for the most part, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) look like the most complete teams in the NFL, and achieved blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles still have among the most gifted lineups throughout football, likewise with the Packers (5-2-1). The Lions also (6-3), with their fluctuating form in trench play and navigating internal staff conflicts, have shown they can defeat quality opponents. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to envision a route to the final game.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and Steelers (5-4). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. No Bills inclusion. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. Historically strong franchises, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, have either significant personnel gaps or are dealing with health issues.

Competitive Balance System

From certain perspectives, it’s the league’s ideal. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise suggest title potential, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to finalize your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, would you comfortably pick any of these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He's reverting to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He suffered seven sacks against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and endured a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he turned the ball over five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially because Jones avoided the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are good enough to survive occasional setbacks, as demonstrated overseas. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish postseason aspirations.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel fairly alike. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the most successful franchise across the league after seven straight wins. If not for losing due to fumbles a winnable game versus the Steelers, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record with the top standing. Last season, they were old and slow. Today they appear youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the most manageable schedule in the league, and there have still been cracks. Their quarterback has taken sacks thirty-five times – the second-most in football – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. With continued play, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are also 8-2, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. Bo Nix has been erratic, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West at 7-2, however, health issues within their blocking corps will make it tough to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then we have the Steelers, surprisingly atop the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started with a 1-5 record yet still appear they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the highest anxiety among competitors if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn’t just lose against Miami; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in several seasons.

If you’re looking for a microcosm of the day, look no further: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt