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No professional sports organization sells parity like the NFL: it's their core marketing message. However, after ten games of this season, this isn’t a league featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league are merely fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, at least, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most balanced franchises across the league, and secured decisive victories in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles still have one of the most talented rosters throughout football, likewise with the Packers franchise (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent on offense and defense and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they're capable of dominating good teams. For all five, one can readily put together a Super Bowl path.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) along with Pittsburgh (5-4 record). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either significant personnel gaps or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. However, witnessing this season's top AFC teams in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to commit to your conference championship predictions right now, could you assuredly pick any of the current division frontrunners?

Franchise Analysis

Colts Situation

Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He has returned to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a five-minute stretch where he delivered an interception and lost three fumbles. This follows he committed turnovers on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially as Jones prevented game-changing errors. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are able to withstand some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots feel somewhat similar. A year ago, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise across the league post seven wins in a row. Had it not been for fumbling away 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. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has taken sacks on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – including particular impacts he endured during the game were vicious. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are eight wins similarly, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West at 7-2, however, health issues along their offensive line will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading their division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints given his veteran status persistently appear. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 and currently seem they should win the division speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses this year. They didn’t just lose to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, dropping a 30-13 road game. The Dolphins secured their first triumph against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

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