From Disappointing to Defective – Is There Any Team Want to Claim Victory in the Big Game This Season?

No league sells competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. However, after the first ten matchups during the current schedule, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the bulk of franchises is simply sufficient.

NFC Clarity

In the NFC, for the most part, we see clearer definition. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most balanced franchises in football, and achieved decisive victories in their weekend matchups. Philadelphia at 6-2 even with their challenges still have among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, comparable to Green Bay (5-2-1). The Lions also (six and three), despite their uneven performances along both lines of scrimmage and navigating tension on their coaching staff, have demonstrated they can hammer quality opponents. For all five, you can still easily construct a Super Bowl path.

AFC Confusion

In the AFC however, postseason landscape is a jumbled mess. The four teams leading their divisions after ten games: the Colts, Patriots, Broncos (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (5-4). Read that again. Not the Chiefs. No Bills inclusion. Not the Ravens or Bengals. The usual contenders, featuring the league’s best quarterbacks, possess either obvious team deficiencies or are dealing with health issues.

Parity Mechanics

To some extent, this is exactly what the league wants. However, witnessing the current division frontrunners in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Areas of each team suggest title potential, though not comprehensively. If someone requested to commit to your AFC title game selections today, could you assuredly choose any among the four division leaders?

Squad Examinations

Indianapolis Colts

Starting in Indianapolis, Daniel Jones hasn't yet achieved pumpkin status. But the last two weeks have been worrying. He’s back to giving away possessions and faltering under duress. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and experienced a short sequence during which he tossed an interception and fumbled three times. This follows he turned the ball over on five occasions versus Pittsburgh.

The Colts’ offense thrived early in the season since Jones evaded the disaster plays. The running back and protection unit ensure Indianapolis remains good enough to survive occasional setbacks, as they did in Berlin. Yet Jones going back to his old blunder-prone days would end postseason aspirations.

Patriots Examination

The Patriots seem fairly alike. A year ago, they were considered jokes. Today, they stand as football's most unexpected success and the most successful franchise in football post seven wins in a row. Except for committing turnover errors a winnable game versus the Steelers, they'd possess nine wins, one loss with the top standing. Previously, they were old and slow. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Still, it’s hard to ignore the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They have faced the most manageable schedule throughout football, and flaws have still emerged. The signal-caller has been brought down on 35 occasions – ranking second league-wide – with several hits he endured during the game were vicious. Over time, those beatings accumulate.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are also 8-2, and it still feels as if they’re holding their breath. The Denver signal-caller has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, as the defense handles the majority of the work. Without serviceable quarterback play, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West holding a 7-2 record, yet medical problems within their blocking corps will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.

Pittsburgh Situation

Then we have the Steelers, surprisingly atop their division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers during prime time. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and the QB's current constraints at this stage of his career regularly manifest. They maintain a 5-4 record while surviving, yet Baltimore, featuring a recovered Jackson and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed within a game of the Steelers, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened with a 1-5 record and currently seem likely to claim the title speaks volumes regarding the entire AFC.

Traditional Powers

Baltimore constitutes part within a trio of powerhouses – alongside the Bills and Chiefs – powered by their MVP quarterbacks, that would continue to generate the most fear in opposing teams if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. This weekend they encountered a particularly discouraging setback during the campaign. They didn't merely fall to the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph over the Bills in several seasons.

Should you seek a microcosm of the day, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt