From Floored to Flawed – Does Anyone Want to Secure the NFL Championship This Season?
No league sells parity in the manner of the NFL: it defines their identity. However, after 10 weeks in this campaign, this isn’t a league that is equally balanced between the good, the bad and the mediocre. It’s one where most of the league appear to be fine.
NFC Clarity
Looking at the NFC side, at least, there is some clarity. The Rams along with the Seahawks (each holding 7-2 records) appear to be the most complete teams in the NFL, and secured decisive victories during Sunday's action. The 6-2 Eagles notwithstanding their difficulties continue to possess a deeply skilled squad across the NFL, likewise with Green Bay (5-2-1). Even the Lions (six and three), despite their uneven performances on offense and defense and have been dealing with internal staff conflicts, have proven they're capable of dominating good teams. For all five, one can readily put together a route to the final game.
AFC Confusion
Turning to the American Football Conference, championship race is thoroughly confusing. The four teams leading their divisions through ten weeks: Indianapolis, New England, Denver (each with 8-2 records) and the Steelers (5-4 record). Take another look. Not the Chiefs. Buffalo is missing. Baltimore and Cincinnati are absent. Historically strong franchises, supported by premier quarterback talent, possess either glaring roster weaknesses or have been hit by injuries.
League Equality Design
In some ways, it’s the league’s ideal. Yet observing this year’s four division leaders in the AFC continues to seem unusual. Aspects of each franchise meet championship standards, but not in their entirety. Were you questioned to lock in your AFC title game selections today, would you confidently select any one of the current division frontrunners?
Franchise Analysis
Indianapolis Outlook
Starting in Indianapolis, the signal-caller hasn't descended to pumpkin status. Yet the past two games have caused alarm. He’s back to turning over the ball and struggling against pressure. He suffered seven sacks against the Falcons during Sunday's contest, and endured a brief period where he delivered an interception and coughed up the ball thrice. This comes after he committed turnovers five separate times against the Steelers.
The Colts attack excelled during early games since Jones evaded catastrophic mistakes. Taylor along with the blockers mean the Colts are good enough to survive some negative plays, as they did in Berlin. However, if Jones reverts to his previous error-filled form would end postseason aspirations.
New England Patriots
The Patriots seem somewhat similar. A year ago, they were a punchline. Currently, they represent the NFL's most pleasant shock and the strongest squad in the NFL following seven consecutive victories. Had it not been for fumbling away a manageable matchup versus the Steelers, they would currently hold at 9–1 with the top standing. In the prior year, they were old and slow. Today they appear young, fast and unafraid. Nevertheless, one cannot overlook the weakness of New England's opponents. They've played against the most manageable schedule across the NFL, and flaws have still emerged. Their quarterback has been sacked thirty-five times – ranking second league-wide – and some of the shots he absorbed on Sunday were vicious. As the season progresses, that punishment compounds.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are eight wins similarly, yet it seems that they're barely surviving. Bo Nix has performed unevenly, with the attack struggling, while the defensive unit provides all the heavy lifting. Absent adequate signal-calling, the Broncos aren’t scaring anyone in the postseason. The Chargers are also hovering in the AFC West at 7-2, yet medical problems affecting their protection unit will create difficulties to achieve championship contention.
Pittsburgh Situation
And then there’s Pittsburgh, inexplicably frontrunning the Northern division even after suffering a decisive loss to Los Angeles in the evening game. They've been outscored overall, their defensive unit frequently falters, and Aaron Rodgers’ limitations during his career phase continue to show up. They’re 5–4 and holding on, yet Baltimore, with their QB returning to health and the schedule softening, are riding a three-game streak. We shouldn't be completely astonished that Baltimore has closed to within one game of Pittsburgh, but how rapidly this occurred is an indictment of Pittsburgh’s inconsistencies. Considering the Ravens opened the season 1-5 and currently seem likely to claim the title reveals much about the conference as a whole.
Established Contenders
Baltimore constitutes part among three elite teams – joined by Buffalo and Kansas City – fueled by former MVP signal-callers, who could still create the most fear among competitors if they qualified. They're the teams everyone hopes to avoid, yet Kansas City and Buffalo continue to self-destruct.
Buffalo Analysis
Last week, the Bills felt confident following victory over Kansas City. During Sunday's action they experienced a particularly discouraging setback this year. They didn't merely fall versus the Dolphins; they were embarrassed, losing 30-13 as visitors. It was Miami’s first win over the Bills in more than 1,000 days.
Should you seek a perfect summary of Sunday, here you go: the quarterback converting {a quarterback sneak|a short-yardage play|a sneak attempt
