The Kansas City Chiefs dynasty is in full swing.
They’ve made their fourth consecutive AFC Championship Game, which coincides with when Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback.
Under his leadership, the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV courtesy of a playoff run that featured three come-from-behind victories.
But his performance against the Buffalo Bills during the Divisional Weekend added to his legend.
That victory made them favorites to appear in the Super Bowl for a third straight year.
He also cemented his place as the conference’s best quarterback, for now.
While the Chiefs remain the team to beat, his rivals are narrowing the gap.
What Makes Mahomes Great?
His greatest attributes fall under three C’s.
First, his competitiveness makes it known to the team and their fans that they always have a chance to win, even if they face a huge deficit.
In that game against Buffalo alone, the Chiefs were in a touchdown-or-lose situation twice in the final two minutes of regulation.
He wouldn’t let his team lose, and he delivered on Andy Reid‘s challenge of becoming the Grim Reaper.
Second, he has unlimited creativity to improvise plays, be it through his feet or his arm.
Mahomes scrambles for yards when he feels the pass rush closing in and attempts passes at peculiar angles.
Finally, his composure stays the same throughout the entire football game.
The lights aren’t too bright for him, and he delivers during clutch situations.
The Duel Has Began
Josh Allen might be Mahomes’ fiercest rival in the coming years and their latest showdown has the feel of a Brady vs. Manning matchup.
Both quarterbacks brought out their best in that duel, but Mahomes had the edge thanks to the coin toss.
There’s no reason to doubt Allen that the Bills would be the ones celebrating if they got the ball.
He was in the zone and he completed two touchdown passes to Gabriel Davis when his team needed them.
Mahomes may have a 2-0 advantage in their playoff encounters, but Allen is too good not to win some over the next decade.
A back-and-forth tussle between these two men will be good for the league, especially with the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers nearing retirement.
They mirror each other’s capabilities, allowing them to put a stranglehold against the other AFC teams’ Super Bowl hopes.
Other Competitors In The Race
Mahomes and Allen may be the frontrunners, but other quarterbacks have the talent to overtake them.
In the AFC West alone, Justin Herbert is also putting the league on notice during his first two seasons.
It’s a shame that the Los Angeles Chargers are not in the playoffs, but Herbert can give the Chiefs a run for their money.
Meanwhile, Joe Burrow triggered a massive transformation for the Cincinnati Bengals in just two seasons.
He will be playing opposite Mahomes in the AFC Championship Game after leading the league in completion percentage.
Do not forget the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, who was playing at an MVP level until an ankle injury cut his season short.
This gauntlet of elite quarterbacks will push Mahomes and the Chiefs to their limit.
In turn, the AFC will turn into the Wild West for the foreseeable future.
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