The NFL season is only 72 days away. As the draft period draws to a close, teams across the league find themselves grappling with the loss of their coveted recruit prospects. Amidst this flurry of activity, predictions and speculations are already permeating the NFL world, fueling discussions among passionate fans. Notably, ESPN has wasted no time in releasing an intriguing statistic that places Patrick Mahomes‘ team at the summit.

It comes as no surprise to see the Chiefs at the top of the predictions, given their impressive track record. However, the omission of certain teams from the list has left the fans fuming.

Other QBs are not so far from Patrick Mahomes

ESPN’s analytics recently unveiled the top 10 AFC teams and their respective playoff chances, expressed in percentage terms. Topping the list were the Chiefs, commanding an impressive 77% likelihood of reaching the playoffs. Close on their heels were the Bengals and the Bills, with 76% and 70% respectively, proving their strong competitiveness. Nevertheless, the team led by renowned quarterback Russell Wilson was nowhere to be seen on the list. Is it because of his disastrous performance last season?

The Broncos spared no expenses for bringing in the most coveted quarterback in the league. However, their staggering $245 million investment proved to be disastrous due to his underwhelming performance last year. The significant changes in the coaching staff and the roster have also failed to inspire confidence within the community. As a consequence, Peyton Manning‘s former team could not even land a spot in the top 10.

Read More: Five Highest-Paid NFL Quarterbacks Below the Age of 30

Among the teams listed, there were a few with relatively lower chances in terms of percentage. While the Jaguars managed to secure a reputable spot with a 67% score, the Steelers found themselves at the bottom of the list with only a 34% probability. Similarly, the Browns also could not find a spot at the top of the list with the 2nd lowest score of 39%. Teams like the Patriots and Raiders were nowhere to be seen on the list.

Could this statistic bring any value to the upcoming season?

Following Tom Brady‘s departure from the Patriots, the team faced a notable decline, failing to reach the AFC championships since. Their attempt to secure Aaron Rodgers after his transfer from the Packers also proved to be unsuccessful. However, upon joining the Jets, Rodgers managed to uplift the team, propelling them to the 6th position on the list. Yes! the same team that hasn’t won a Lombardy trophy since the moon landing.

While it is important to take the list with a grain of salt, it certainly holds merit in some cases. The teams that failed to secure a spot in the top 10 have struggled significantly over the years. Whereas, those at the top dominated their conferences for over a decade. Nevertheless, this season has the potential to bring unexpected surprises, with teams from the lower end of the rankings making history. Only time will tell if that is so.

Watch This Story: “However, you can give a smile too”: Phil Mickelson once taught 4x NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers his iconic thumbs-up celebration