From Floored to Flawed – Is There Any Team Want to Secure the Big Game During This Campaign?

No league promotes competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through the first ten matchups during the current schedule, this isn’t a league with perfect equilibrium among elite teams, poor performers, and average squads. Rather, we see a situation where the bulk of franchises is simply fine.

Clear Picture in NFC

Within the National Football Conference, at least, we see clearer definition. Los Angeles and Seattle (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most balanced franchises in football, and secured overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles despite their struggles still have among the most gifted lineups throughout football, comparable to the Packers (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they're capable of dominating quality opponents. For all five, you can still easily construct a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, championship race is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) along with Pittsburgh (five wins, four losses). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, backed by premier quarterback talent, display either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

Parity Mechanics

From certain perspectives, this is exactly what the league wants. Yet observing the current division frontrunners in the AFC remains somewhat odd. Areas of each team suggest title potential, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to commit to your conference championship predictions right now, could you assuredly choose any among these four teams?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't descended to total collapse. However, recent performances have been worrying. He's reverting to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta on Sunday, and endured a short sequence where he delivered a pick and coughed up the ball thrice. This follows he turned the ball over on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, as demonstrated overseas. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would terminate any playoff run.

New England Patriots

The Patriots seem somewhat similar. A year ago, they were a punchline. Now, they’re the league’s happiest surprise and the strongest squad across the league following seven consecutive victories. If not for losing due to fumbles a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting nine wins, one loss with the best record. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re young, fast and unafraid. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Drake Maye has been brought down 35 times – the second-most in football – and some of the shots he endured during the game appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.

Broncos Situation

Denver stands at 8–2 as well, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has been erratic, with the attack struggling, as the defense handles all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West at 7-2, however, health issues within their blocking corps will present challenges for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the AFC North despite being thumped a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense regularly vanishes, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations at this stage of his career continue to show up. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have pulled the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. The fact Baltimore began losing five of six and currently seem capable of division victory reveals much about the complete conference.

Traditional Powers

The Ravens represent a segment within a trio of powerhouses – together with Bills and Chiefs – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the highest anxiety among competitors if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Bills

A week ago, the Bills were riding high following victory over Kansas City. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in over three years.

For those searching for a microcosm of the day, consider this: Josh Allen turning {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt