The stage is set for the two teams that will face off in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9th at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Philadelphia Eagles cruised past the Washington Commanders with a dominating 55-23 victory. The 55 points are the most ever scored in an NFC Conference Championship game and were fueled by a stellar all-around team performance, especially from the offensive line. Their efforts paved the way for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley to score three rushing touchdowns each. Meanwhile, in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Buffalo Bills in a nail-biter, 32-29. The win improved Patrick Mahomes’ playoff record against Josh Allen to 4-0, making Allen the first quarterback in NFL history to lose four playoff games to the same opponent.
The Chiefs are now in their fifth Super Bowl in the last six years – an unprecedented feat in NFL history – and their third consecutive appearance. They are the first of the NFL’s nine back-to-back championship teams in history to reach a third consecutive Super Bowl, putting them one win away from a historic three-peat. Whether they accomplish it or not, the Chiefs and Mahomes continue to rewrite history and the record books. With this win, Mahomes becomes the third quarterback to start five Super Bowls, but the first to do so before turning 30 (Brady 34, Elway 38), while also surpassing 19 entire franchises in total Super Bowl appearances.
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Comparing Patrick Mahomes to Tom Brady
Win or lose, Mahomes is already a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but for the rest of his career, the only quarterback he can surpass is Tom Brady, widely considered the GOAT. Brady holds the most important quarterbacking and NFL records in history, including seven Super Bowl titles, 251 career victories and 649 passing touchdowns, all achieved during a 22-year career with the Patriots and Buccaneers. Mahomes, now in his seventh season with the Chiefs, appears well-positioned to challenge those records, especially when comparing their stats in their first eight seasons.
In terms of wins, Mahomes surpasses Brady with 89 wins to Brady’s 86. Mahomes also far surpasses Brady in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and rushing yards, though it’s worth noting that quarterback mobility wasn’t as critical in Brady’s era. Both quarterbacks share three Super Bowl titles, but Mahomes will have played in one more Super Bowl game than Brady by the time he turns 30. Brady retired with a 7-3 record in 10 Super Bowls.
While Mahomes may surpass Brady in numerous statistical categories, one undeniable fact remains: during their overlapping years, Brady won the most important games. They faced each other six times, splitting the series 3-3. Mahomes won three of four regular season meetings, but Brady triumphed in both playoff meetings, including a Super Bowl. The next two weeks will determine if Mahomes can get one step closer to Brady by defeating the Eagles – the same franchise that handed Brady his last Super Bowl loss.
Mahomes Carves His Own Legacy
The comparisons to Brady will continue throughout Mahomes’ already illustrious career, but it’s clear that he’s in a league of his own right now and on his way to becoming the greatest of all time. His record of seven consecutive conference championship games in seven seasons is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. With 17 playoff victories, Mahomes ranks second all-time behind Brady’s 35. However, Mahomes reached this milestone at age 29, while Brady did so at age 35. Let’s allow Mahomes to continue to dazzle us as he builds his legacy. If injuries stay at bay, we may not even have seen his true prime yet.
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