Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen will meet for the 11th time this decade on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. Getty Images

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.

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