ESPN’s bold Chiefs prediction will infuriate the rest of the AFC

The Kansas City Chiefs may not be that far removed from a brutal lambasting at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59, but that hasn't done much to dissuade most of the major media outlets from picking Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.

Not only are the talking heads still high on Kansas City, but statistical models seem to believe that even with all of the flaws on this roster, the Chiefs are positioned well to go on the attack and defend their AFC crown once again.

According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the only team out there with a better overall outlook than the Chiefs is the same Eagles team that beat them one year ago. Kansas City once again reigns supreme among all other teams in the AFC.

Of the 10 most likely Super Bowl matchups ESPN's model has projected, five of them feature Kansas City coming out of the AFC. Even with Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen putting together two of the finest seasons in NFL history, neither of them could vault their clubs past Mahomes.

Chiefs projected as AFC favorites once again by ESPN

The Chiefs still have some questions on the left side of their offensive line, as the side once manned by Joe Thuney will now be led by a rookie tackle in Josh Simmons while former second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia slides over to left guard. The running back room didn't receive any major additions.

However, in much the same fashion as past season, the Chiefs' top rivals for the AFC crown are Lamar Jackson's Ravens and Josh Allen's Bills. However, like it has been in past seasons, Kansas City should be viewed as the top dog in this conference until one of those two figures out how to create the upset.

The most popular FPI Super Bowl matchup features Kansas City against the Eagles for the third time in four years, as this duel has a 4% likelihood of coming to fruition. Kansas City's four most likely non-Eagles opponents are led by the 15-2 Detroit Lions, with the Rams, Commanders, and 49ers coming in behind them.

The Chiefs' dynasty is still very much in full force, and one bump in the road against Philadelphia is not going to change that. Kansas City may spend most of the 2025 season reminding those plotting on their downfall that such a demise isn't going to happen.