From Struggling to Imperfect – Is There Any Team Want to Claim Victory in the NFL Championship During This Campaign?

No professional sports organization sells competitive balance as effectively as the NFL: it’s the entire brand. But through 10 weeks in this campaign, this is not a competition with perfect equilibrium between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where the bulk of franchises are merely sufficient.

NFC Standings Definition

Looking at the NFC side, at least, there is some clarity. The Rams and Seahawks (both standing at seven wins, two losses) appear to be the most well-rounded squads across the league, and delivered blowout wins during Sunday's action. Philadelphia at 6-2 despite their struggles maintain among the most gifted lineups across the NFL, comparable to Green Bay (5-2-1). Even the Lions (6-3 standing), who have been inconsistent along both lines of scrimmage and have been dealing with tension on their coaching staff, have shown they're capable of dominating strong franchises. Regarding these five teams, it's straightforward to put together a championship trajectory.

AFC Playoff Chaos

Over in the AFC, championship race is a jumbled mess. Your four division leaders through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (all standing at eight wins) and the Steelers (5-4). Take another look. No Chiefs presence. No Bills inclusion. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. The usual contenders, featuring premier quarterback talent, possess either obvious team deficiencies or have been hit by injuries.

Competitive Balance System

In some ways, this represents the NFL's perfect scenario. But watching the current division frontrunners in the American Football Conference still feels strange. Components of every squad meet championship standards, yet not completely. If you were asked to finalize your conference championship predictions at this moment, would you confidently select any one of the four division leaders?

Team Breakdowns

Colts Situation

Beginning with the Colts, the signal-caller hasn't descended to total collapse. However, recent performances have caused alarm. He has returned to giving away possessions and failing against blitzes. He suffered seven sacks facing Atlanta in the weekend game, and endured a five-minute stretch in which he threw a pick and lost three fumbles. This is a week after he turned the ball over on five occasions against the Steelers.

The Colts attack performed well initially since Jones evaded game-changing errors. The running back and protection unit make the Colts able to withstand periodic mistakes, like their German performance. Yet Jones going back to his historically mistake-heavy play would finish championship hopes.

New England Analysis

New England appears somewhat similar. Previously, they were considered jokes. Now, they’re the NFL's most pleasant shock and the hottest team across the league following seven consecutive victories. If not for committing turnover errors a winnable game versus the Steelers, they'd possess a 9-1 record with the best record. Last season, they appeared aged and sluggish. Today they appear inexperienced, speedy and bold. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the ease of the Patriots' matchups. They've played against the easiest slate across the NFL, yet vulnerabilities remain. The signal-caller has been sacked 35 times – among the highest totals – and some of the shots he suffered last weekend appeared dangerous. With continued play, that punishment compounds.

Denver Broncos

Denver stands at eight wins similarly, and it still feels like they're nervously waiting. The Denver signal-caller has shown inconsistency, and the offense plodding, with the defense doing all the heavy lifting. Lacking competent QB performance, the Broncos won't frighten any playoff team. Los Angeles remains nearby in the Western division with seven wins, however, health issues along their offensive line will create difficulties for extended playoff success.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Then we have the Steelers, somehow still leading their division despite being thumped a 25-10 defeat from the Chargers on Sunday night. Their scoring margin remains negative, their defense too often disappears, with their quarterback's restrictions at this stage of his career continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are on a three-game win streak. This development isn't entirely shocking that the Ravens have narrowed the gap to just one game, but that it has arrived so quickly is an indictment of the Steelers' uneven performances. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and still look like likely to claim the title is telling about the entire AFC.

Established Contenders

The Ravens represent a segment of the Big Three – together with Bills and Chiefs – driven by elite quarterback play, that would continue to generate the greatest concern among competitors if they qualified. They’re the No One Wants To See ‘Em teams, however, both franchises continue to self-destruct.

Buffalo Analysis

Last week, Buffalo was celebrating post Chiefs triumph. On Sunday they suffered one of the most disappointing losses during the campaign. They didn't simply fail to the Dolphins; they looked terrible, falling 30-13 on the road. The Dolphins secured their first triumph versus Buffalo in more than 1,000 days.

Should you seek an example representing the day, here you go: Allen transforming {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt