From Floored to Flawed – Are There Any Contenders Want to Claim Victory in the Big Game During This Campaign?

No major competition sells parity in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. Yet following 10 weeks of this season, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. Instead, it's a scenario where most of the league are merely sufficient.

NFC Clarity

Within the National Football Conference, to some degree, there is some clarity. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) seem like the most balanced franchises across the league, and achieved blowout wins in their weekend matchups. The Eagles with six wins notwithstanding their difficulties maintain a deeply skilled squad in the league, similar to Green Bay (5-2-1 record). Detroit as well (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent in trench play while managing internal staff conflicts, have proven they're capable of dominating strong franchises. For all five, one can readily construct a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Turning to the American Football Conference, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (all at 8-2) along with Pittsburgh (5-4). Read that again. Kansas City isn't there. Not the Bills. Neither Ravens nor Bengals. The usual contenders, backed by premier quarterback talent, have either glaring roster weaknesses or have suffered medical setbacks.

League Equality Design

From certain perspectives, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching the current division frontrunners in the AFC still feels strange. Components of every squad pass the championship smell test, though not comprehensively. If you were asked to finalize your AFC title game selections right now, would you confidently choose any among these four teams?

Franchise Analysis

Indianapolis Colts

Beginning with the Colts, their quarterback hasn't yet achieved total collapse. However, recent performances have raised concerns. He’s back to committing turnovers and faltering under duress. He was sacked seven times against the Falcons in the weekend game, and experienced a short sequence where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he committed turnovers five times versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts’ offense performed well initially because Jones avoided catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are capable of overcoming periodic mistakes, like their German performance. However, if Jones reverts to his old blunder-prone days would terminate any playoff run.

New England Analysis

The Patriots feel relatively comparable. A year ago, they were league laughingstocks. Today, they stand as the league’s happiest surprise and the hottest team in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. If not for fumbling away a contest they should have won against Pittsburgh, they would currently hold at 9–1 as the league's best. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Now they’re youthful, quick and confident. Still, it’s hard to ignore how soft the Patriots’ schedule has been. They have faced the easiest slate in the league, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has taken sacks 35 times – the second-most in football – with several hits he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. As the season progresses, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Analysis

Denver stands at also 8-2, yet it seems as if they’re holding their breath. Their quarterback has been erratic, and the offense plodding, as the defense handles all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, Denver cannot intimidate anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also contending in the Western division holding a 7-2 record, however, health issues affecting their protection unit will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Steelers Examination

And then there’s Pittsburgh, surprisingly atop their division even after suffering 25-10 by the Chargers in the evening game. They have a negative point differential, their defense regularly vanishes, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations given his veteran status regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, but Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that the Ravens have narrowed the gap to just one game, but how rapidly this occurred highlights deficiencies within Pittsburgh's fluctuating form. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and currently seem likely to claim the title speaks volumes regarding the conference as a whole.

Historical Favorites

The Ravens' form part of the Big Three – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the most fear for opponents if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, but the Chiefs and Bills persistently undermine themselves.

Bills Struggles

Previously, Buffalo was celebrating after beating the Chiefs. On Sunday they suffered a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn't merely fall against Miami; they looked terrible, dropping a 30-13 road game. This represented Miami's initial victory versus Buffalo in several seasons.

For those searching for a perfect summary of Sunday, consider this: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt