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No major competition markets parity in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. But through the first ten matchups in this campaign, this is not a competition featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Rather, we see a situation where the bulk of franchises are merely fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most complete teams in the NFL, and achieved decisive victories during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges maintain a deeply skilled squad throughout football, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1 record). Even the Lions (6-3), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage while managing coaching drama, have shown they're capable of dominating good teams. For all five, it's straightforward to put together a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, championship race is thoroughly confusing. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and Steelers (five wins, four losses). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. Historically strong franchises, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either significant personnel gaps or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team suggest title potential, yet not completely. If you were asked to commit to your conference championship predictions at this moment, would you confidently pick any of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. But the last two weeks have caused alarm. He has returned to turning over the ball and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times against the Falcons in the weekend game, and endured a short sequence where he delivered an interception and lost three fumbles. This comes after he gave away possessions five separate times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack performed well initially because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts good enough to survive some negative plays, as demonstrated overseas. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would end postseason aspirations.

New England Analysis

The Patriots feel fairly alike. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the most successful franchise in the NFL after seven straight wins. If not for losing due to fumbles a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting a 9-1 record with the top standing. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the most manageable schedule across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has been brought down on 35 occasions – the second-most in football – including particular impacts he suffered last weekend proved brutal. Over time, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold also 8-2, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has performed unevenly, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will make it tough to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, with their quarterback's restrictions during his career phase persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift represents criticism toward Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. That the Ravens started losing five of six yet still appear capable of division victory reveals much about the conference as a whole.

Established Contenders

The Ravens' form part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the greatest concern for opponents should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Bills Struggles

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

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