Facts can be so misleading.
Near the midway point of the NFL regular season, the Bills (5-2) — the five-time defending AFC East champions — are looking up in the standings at the Patriots (6-2), who won a head-to-head matchup in Buffalo. The Chiefs (5-3) — winners of nine straight AFC West titles — are behind the Broncos (6-2) and Chargers (5-3), having lost to the latter in Week 1.
Meanwhile, Daniel Jones and the Colts (7-1) lead the race for the No. 1 seed.
Still, it is hard to find anyone who doesn’t believe a trip to the Super Bowl goes through Kansas City or Buffalo, listed as the top two favorites in the AFC at every major sportsbook.