From Floored to Flawed – Does Anyone Truly Desiring to Claim Victory in the NFL Championship During This Campaign?

No professional sports organization sells competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it defines their identity. Yet following the first ten matchups of this season, this is not a competition featuring uniform distribution between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the majority of teams appear to be adequate.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, to some degree, the picture becomes more distinct. The Rams along with the Seahawks (both at 7-2) seem like the most well-rounded squads across the league, and delivered overwhelming triumphs during Sunday's action. The Eagles with six wins despite their struggles continue to possess among the most gifted lineups in the league, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1 record). The Lions also (6-3 standing), despite their uneven performances in trench play while managing coaching drama, have proven they can defeat strong franchises. For all five, one can readily put together a route to the final game.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, postseason landscape remains completely chaotic. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and Steelers (5-4). Consider that carefully. No Chiefs presence. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The traditional powers, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.

League Equality Design

In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. But watching the current division frontrunners within the conference continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise pass the championship smell test, though not comprehensively. If someone requested to lock in your conference championship predictions today, would you comfortably choose any among the current division frontrunners?

Squad Examinations

Colts Situation

First, examining Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. However, recent performances have caused alarm. He's reverting to turning over the ball and faltering under duress. He took seven sacks versus Atlanta during Sunday's contest, and had a short sequence where he delivered an intercepted pass and lost three fumbles. This comes after he committed turnovers on five occasions against the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially as Jones prevented catastrophic mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and the offensive line make the Colts capable of overcoming occasional setbacks, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his previous error-filled form would end any playoff run.

Patriots Examination

New England appears relatively comparable. Previously, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. Except for losing due to fumbles a winnable game against Pittsburgh, they’d be sitting at 9–1 as the league's best. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Now they’re inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've encountered the easiest slate across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has been sacked 35 times – among the highest totals – with several hits he absorbed on Sunday appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

Denver stands at 8–2 as well, and the perception remains that they're barely surviving. Their quarterback has shown inconsistency, and the offensive unit laboring, while the defensive unit provides most of the responsibility. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring playoff opponents. Los Angeles remains nearby in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems along their offensive line will present challenges to mount a deep postseason tilt.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh exists, somehow still leading their division notwithstanding receiving a decisive loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night. They've been outscored overall, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They’re 5–4 and holding on, however, the Ravens, with their QB returning to health with manageable games ahead, are riding a three-game streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have pulled to within one game of Pittsburgh, but that it has arrived so quickly highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record yet still appear likely to claim the title is telling about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

Baltimore constitutes part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the highest anxiety in opposing teams if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, yet Kansas City and Buffalo cannot get out of their own way.

Buffalo Bills

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating following victory over Kansas City. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback of the season. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. It was Miami’s first win versus Buffalo in several seasons.

If you’re looking for a perfect summary of Sunday, here you go: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt