Few, if any NFL fans could have predicted that the New England Patriots would have a better record than both the Baltimore Ravens (1-4) and the Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) entering Week 6.

The Patriots (3-2) aren’t the only surprise in the league this fall, as both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts shockingly sit atop the AFC South at 4-1.

Austin Mock of The Athletic looked at each of the aforementioned squads as the “3 surprise teams” that have “emerged to fill contender void in AFC” on Thursday.

Mock said that with head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm and quarterback Drake Maye under center, New England “should absolutely be locked into a playoff spot come January.”

“My preseason take on the Patriots was that they have a coach who has won before, an exciting young quarter

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