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No league markets equal footing like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after the first ten matchups of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league are merely adequate.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, to some degree, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (each holding 7-2 records) look like the most balanced franchises in football, and delivered blowout wins during Sunday's action. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense while managing tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can defeat quality opponents. For each of these squads, one can readily put together a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all at 8-2) and Steelers (5-4 record). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, supported by the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or are dealing with health issues.

Parity Mechanics

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders within the conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to lock in your conference championship predictions today, would you confidently choose any among the current division frontrunners?

Team Breakdowns

Indianapolis Outlook

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He’s back to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and experienced a five-minute stretch during which he tossed an intercepted pass and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he gave away possessions on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts attack thrived early in the season since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers ensure Indianapolis remains good enough to survive some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his historically mistake-heavy play would terminate championship hopes.

New England Analysis

The Patriots seem fairly alike. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in the NFL after seven straight wins. Except for losing due to fumbles a winnable game versus the Steelers, they would currently hold a 9-1 record as the league's best. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They have faced the easiest slate across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. Their quarterback has been sacked thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend were vicious. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Broncos Situation

The Broncos are 8–2 as well, yet it seems like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering within their division at 7-2, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Situation

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, surprisingly atop their division even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status persistently appear. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened losing five of six and still look like likely to claim the title reveals much about the complete conference.

Established Contenders

The Ravens' form part within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the most fear among competitors if they qualified. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, the Bills felt confident after beating the Chiefs. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo 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