No professional sports organization promotes equal footing as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after 10 weeks of this season, this doesn't represent a landscape with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. It’s one where the majority of teams appear to be adequate.
Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most complete teams across the league, and achieved decisive victories in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles even with their challenges continue to possess one of the most talented rosters throughout football, likewise with the Packers franchise (5-2-1). The Lions also (six and three), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with coaching drama, have proven they can hammer good teams. For each of these squads, one can readily put together a championship trajectory.
Over in the AFC, the playoff picture remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The traditional powers, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks.
To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the American Football Conference remains somewhat odd. Components of every squad suggest title potential, yet not completely. Were you questioned to commit to your conference championship predictions at this moment, would you comfortably select any one of the current division frontrunners?
Beginning with the Colts, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have been worrying. He’s back to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks against the Falcons on Sunday, and endured a brief period in which he threw a pick and fumbled three times. This follows he turned the ball over five times against the Steelers.
The Colts attack excelled during early games as Jones prevented the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit mean the Colts are good enough to survive occasional setbacks, as demonstrated overseas. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would end championship hopes.
The Patriots feel somewhat similar. Last season, they were league laughingstocks. Now, they’re football's most unexpected success and the strongest squad in the NFL after seven straight wins. Had it not been for committing turnover errors a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the top standing. Last season, they seemed veteran and plodding. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the easiest slate throughout football, and there have still been cracks. The signal-caller has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. With continued play, those beatings accumulate.
The Broncos are eight wins similarly, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos won't frighten playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby within their division holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues within their blocking corps will create difficulties to mount a deep postseason tilt.
Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading their division even after suffering a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson healthy again and facing easier opponents, are on a three-game win streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, but how rapidly this occurred represents criticism toward Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 yet still appear capable of division victory speaks volumes regarding the conference as a whole.
The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the most fear for opponents if they made the playoffs. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.
A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered one of the most disappointing losses this year. They didn't simply fail versus the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, falling 30-13 on the road. This represented Miami's initial victory against Buffalo in several seasons.
Should you seek a microcosm of the day, look no further: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt
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