🔗 Share this article From Floored to Flawed – Are There Any Contenders Want to Win the Big Game During This Campaign? No major competition promotes competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. But through 10 weeks in this campaign, this is not a competition that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where the majority of teams is simply adequate. Clear Picture in NFC In the NFC, to some degree, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) look like the most well-rounded squads in the NFL, and achieved overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles continue to possess a deeply skilled squad throughout football, comparable to Green Bay (5-2-1). Even the Lions (6-3), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating strong franchises. For each of these squads, one can readily put together a Super Bowl path. AFC Confusion Over in the AFC, the playoff picture is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions at this stage: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. Kansas City isn't there. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either obvious team deficiencies or have suffered medical setbacks. League Equality Design To some extent, it’s the league’s ideal. Yet observing this season's top AFC teams within the conference remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team suggest title potential, but not in their entirety. If someone requested to lock in your AFC Championship game picks at this moment, could you assuredly pick any of the four division leaders? Squad Examinations Colts Situation Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn’t quite reached complete disaster level. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He has returned to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and endured a brief period in which he threw an intercepted pass and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he committed turnovers on five occasions facing the Steelers. Indianapolis' offensive unit thrived early in the season since Jones evaded the disaster plays. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are good enough to survive some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would finish postseason aspirations. New England Analysis New England appears somewhat similar. Last season, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in football following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 with the top standing. Last season, they were old and slow. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has taken sacks thirty-five times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he endured during the game were vicious. Over time, those hits add up. Denver Analysis Denver stands at 8–2 as well, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Lacking competent QB performance, Denver cannot intimidate any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division at 7-2, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will make it tough to achieve championship contention. Steelers Examination And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defense regularly vanishes, and the QB's current constraints during his career phase regularly manifest. At 5-4, they're barely clinging, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed to within one game of Pittsburgh, though the speed of this shift is an indictment of Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. The fact Baltimore began the season 1-5 and currently seem capable of division victory is telling about the complete conference. Historical Favorites The Ravens' form part of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, who could still create the greatest concern for opponents if they qualified. They represent undesirable playoff matchups, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves. Bills Struggles A week ago, the Bills were riding high following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered among the season's worst defeats this year. They didn’t just lose versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in several seasons. Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt