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No major competition markets parity like the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after the first ten matchups of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams is simply adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, for the most part, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) seem like the most balanced franchises in football, and achieved decisive victories on Sunday. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges still have among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, comparable to the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (6-3), who have been inconsistent on offense and defense and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating good teams. For all five, you can still easily put together a championship trajectory.

Muddled AFC Picture

Over in the AFC, championship race is a jumbled mess. Your four division leaders at this stage: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and Steelers (5-4 record). Consider that carefully. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, possess either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to lock in your AFC Championship game picks right now, would you comfortably pick any of these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Outlook

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved total collapse. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He’s back to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He suffered seven sacks versus Atlanta in the weekend game, and experienced a short sequence in which he threw an intercepted pass and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he turned the ball over five times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit excelled during early games since Jones evaded the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are able to withstand some negative plays, like their German performance. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate postseason aspirations.

New England Analysis

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. A year ago, they were a punchline. Today, they stand as the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in the NFL post seven wins in a row. If not for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won facing Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the best record. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Now they’re inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the easiest slate across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has taken sacks thirty-five times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. Over time, those hits add up.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West with seven wins, but the injuries within their blocking corps will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop their division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers during prime time. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed within a game of the Steelers, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened losing five of six and still look like they should win the division is telling about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety for opponents should they reach postseason. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, the Bills were riding high after beating the Chiefs. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses of the season. They didn't simply fail against Miami; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, here you go: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt