From Disappointing to Defective – Are There Any Contenders Actively Seeking to Win the Big Game This Season?

No league promotes parity in the manner of the NFL: it’s the entire brand. Yet following 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the majority of teams appear to be fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

In the NFC, at least, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) seem like the most balanced franchises in football, and secured overwhelming triumphs in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess a deeply skilled squad throughout football, comparable to Green Bay (five wins, two losses, one tie). The Lions also (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent in trench play and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have proven they're capable of dominating strong franchises. For each of these squads, it's straightforward to envision a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

Turning to the American Football Conference, the playoff picture is a jumbled mess. The current division frontrunners after ten games: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Buffalo is missing. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

In some ways, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, yet not completely. If someone requested to commit to your AFC Championship game picks right now, could you assuredly pick any of these four teams?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Outlook

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn’t quite reached total collapse. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to committing turnovers and failing against blitzes. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and endured a brief period in which he threw a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he turned the ball over five separate times facing the Steelers.

The Colts attack excelled during early games since Jones evaded the disaster plays. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line ensure Indianapolis remains good enough to survive periodic mistakes, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his old blunder-prone days would terminate championship hopes.

Patriots Examination

New England appears relatively comparable. Last season, they were a punchline. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in the NFL after seven straight wins. Had it not been for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup facing Pittsburgh, they would currently hold a 9-1 record with the best record. In the prior year, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the weakness of New England's opponents. They've encountered the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has been brought down on 35 occasions – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday proved brutal. With continued play, that punishment compounds.

Denver Analysis

The Broncos hold 8–2 as well, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos aren’t scaring any playoff team. The Chargers are also contending in the AFC West at 7-2, but the injuries within their blocking corps will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, somehow still leading the AFC North even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions given his veteran status continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and facing easier opponents, are riding a three-game streak. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Baltimore has closed the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened losing five of six and currently seem they should win the division reveals much about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, who would still strike the most fear for opponents should they reach postseason. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, but the Chiefs and Bills cannot get out of their own way.

Bills Struggles

A week ago, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, losing 30-13 as visitors. This represented Miami's initial victory over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.

If you’re looking for a microcosm of the day, here you go: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt