Just 16 days until the NFL season kicks off! This season will no longer have the football GOAT, Tom Brady, who has now ended his stint of hunting Super Bowl trophies. Stepping into his shoes, reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes leads the charge with a streamlined roster, currently perched at the top of the preseason Lombardy favorite list. Yet, does this suffice?

Recently unveiled statistics reveal a sobering reality that, if repeated, could reshape history for the Chiefs. This truth even took TB12 a decade to surmount, as it was Peyton Manning who broke the bad omen back in 2006.

Can Mahomes catch up like Tom Brady?

The stat, which was put together by a Reddit user, reveals a dark truth, which showcases how only three preseason favorite teams, since the year 1995 have been able to win the Super Bowl. It even has a 10-year gap from the Sheriff’s Lombardy in 2006 to Brady’s in 2016. A year later, in 2018, Brady replicated history with the Patriots, marking the third and final time in the league’s annals that a preseason favorite triumphed.

Since 1995, only three preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl have gone on to win the Super Bowl.
by u/UnderwhelmingAF in nfl

The reigning champions too haven’t fared much better. They’ve appeared on the list three times, including this year. However, in both 2020 and 2021, despite their top ranking, they faltered, losing the Super Bowl and the AFC Championship consecutively. Yet, this losing trend could be overturned this year, should the two-time MVP secure another momentous win. Given their recent history, few would be surprised if they once again dominate the season.

Read More: $70,000,000 Patrick Mahomes’ Project’s 29-Year-Old Third Pillar Drops Heartbreaking Three-Word Confession

The Chiefs have undergone substantial changes this season, and these shifts could have profound implications for the team. Their preseason performances have set a high bar, fueling anticipation for the upcoming season.

How are the Chiefs looking this season?

The defending champions recently wrapped up their second preseason clash against the Cardinals, boasting a staggering 28-point lead in the final score. Their initial matchup against the Saints didn’t evoke much awe, resulting in a narrow loss despite a four-point lead during the third quarter. However, the tide has now turned, driven by an outstanding performance from the 2x MVP during the opening quarter.

An 18-yard touchdown pass to Justin Watson ignited a scoring spree. Backup QB Shane Burchele achieved a perfect 10 for 10 with 105 yards and a remarkable 15-yard touchdown. Rookie WR Rashee Rice contributed to the euphoria, accumulating an impressive 96 receiving yards from 8 passes, much to the delight of the Chiefs’ kingdom.

Yet, the truth remains that it’s never over until the final buzzer sounds, as history has repeatedly demonstrated. Even the Patriots, despite their illustrious legacy, have tasted defeat in five Super Bowls since their inception. Thus, the outcome of the upcoming season is a chapter yet to be written.

Watch This Story: 37 days after ‘Black Bear Hunting’ Tom Brady makes animal lovers cheerful & wildlife photographers jealous