From Floored to Flawed – Does Anyone Actively Seeking to Win the Big Game This Season?

No professional sports organization markets competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it's their core marketing message. Yet following 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced separating contenders, pretenders, and middle-of-the-pack clubs. It’s one where the bulk of franchises are merely adequate.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, at least, there is some clarity. Los Angeles and Seattle (both at 7-2) look like the most complete teams in the NFL, and delivered blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The 6-2 Eagles notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, likewise with the Packers franchise (five wins, two losses, one tie). Detroit as well (six and three), with their fluctuating form along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with coaching drama, have demonstrated they can defeat quality opponents. Regarding these five teams, you can still easily construct a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

In the AFC however, championship race remains completely chaotic. The current division frontrunners through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. Not the Bills. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, display either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. But watching this season's top AFC teams in the American Football Conference continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team meet championship standards, though not comprehensively. Were you questioned to finalize your conference championship predictions right now, would you comfortably pick any of the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn’t quite reached total collapse. But the last two weeks have raised concerns. He has returned to committing turnovers and struggling against pressure. He was sacked seven times facing Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a brief period in which he threw an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This is a week after he committed turnovers five times against the Steelers.

Indianapolis' offensive unit performed well initially because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers make the Colts good enough to survive some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. But Jones returning to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

New England Analysis

New England appears fairly alike. Last season, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise in the NFL after seven straight wins. If not for losing due to fumbles a manageable matchup facing Pittsburgh, they'd possess nine wins, one loss with the top standing. In the prior year, they seemed veteran and plodding. Currently they're inexperienced, speedy and bold. However, we must acknowledge the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the easiest slate throughout football, and there have still been cracks. Drake Maye has been brought down thirty-five times – the second-most in football – with several hits he suffered last weekend proved brutal. With continued play, those hits add up.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and the perception remains as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, and the offensive unit laboring, as the defense handles most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division with seven wins, however, health issues within their blocking corps will make it tough for extended playoff success.

Steelers Examination

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading the AFC North notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations at this stage of his career persistently appear. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, have won three consecutive. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within the Steelers' uneven performances. That the Ravens started the season 1-5 and currently seem they should win the division is telling about the complete conference.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – driven by elite quarterback play, who would still strike the greatest concern for opponents if they made the playoffs. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises persistently undermine themselves.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, the Bills were riding high post Chiefs triumph. During Sunday's action they experienced one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they suffered humiliation, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win against Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

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