Different periods in time have been marked by genius.

The height of the Renaissance (1400-1550) offered LEONARDO DA VINCI. REMBRANDT set the tone for the Baroque Age (1540-1700). Aerial artists like PEYTON MANNING of the Colts and Vikings leader DAUNTE CULPEPPER likewise will have future generations marveling when examining today’s NFL.

Through 10 weeks of action, NFL quarterbacks collectively are compiling some of the best statistics the league has seen in the past 10 seasons:

Bold italics signify best mark in past 10 years

Houston Texans offensive coordinator CHRIS PALMER believes that the talent at quarterback in today’s NFL is the chief reason for a passing game being successful in efficiency and effectiveness with less balls thrown into defenders’ hands.

"I think that the league is probably at one of its richest times as far as the quarterback position is concerned," says Palmer, whose offense is currently No. 4 in the AFC (351.2). "You look from top to bottom and you have the veterans … and then all of a sudden you have a bunch of young guns coming up like (DAVID) CARR, (BYRON) LEFTWICH just to name a few, (DREW) BREES out in San Diego.

"This has probably been one of the richest times in league history for the quarterback position."

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator JERRY GRAY recognizes other trends being capitalized on by offenses.

"You have more people playing zone," says Gray, leader of the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense (285.9). "A lot of teams are playing ‘cover two.’  The completion percentage is going to be high because teams will employ a short passing game to get downfield, but you’ve also got great quarterbacks in this league making tough throws."

In view of the increase in long passing plays – pass plays of 20+ yards (839) are at their highest level in the past 10 seasons – high completion percentages, and low interception totals, are teams doing a better job of pass protecting?

"A lot of teams are using max protection (keeping an extra tight end or back around the pocket to pass protect) on third down – not so much on first and second down," Gray says. "If you can get to the quarterback and not give up the big play while mixing up your zone and man coverages, you can rush different guys.  Then you can make them think blitz and you’re really not blitzing."

The chess match continues as NFL quarterbacks continue to hit their marks.

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AFC-NFC TUG-OF-WAR: AFC teams have won 23 of 38 games this season against NFC clubs for a .605 winning percentage. AFC clubs have posted a .500-or-better record versus their NFC counterparts in each of the past eight seasons.