The inevitability of Patrick Mahomes

Heading into last Sunday’s AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs once again found themselves in the position of underdog.

Much like the Chiefs’ previous play-off round versus the Buffalo Bills, both bookmakers and the public foolishly believed that playing on the road and an apparent worse roster would be too much for Mahomes’s side.

At the time of writing, Mahomes’ playoff statistics consist of a 14-3 overall record, 2-0 when on the road and 3-0 as an underdog. If they win the Super Bowl in two weeks time, the Chiefs will have completed the best 5 year stretch in NFL history: 5 AFC Championship games, 4 Super Bowl appearances and 3 rings. 

At what point does Mahomes stop being underestimated? In my opinion, even if he was playing the 1972 Dolphins or ‘85 Bears, I would still struggle to bet against number 15.

If he retired right now at the age of 28, he would already be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and perhaps have an argument for best quarterback of all time. Whilst statistically he is still a way off Brady, ability-wise many would say he is the best there’s ever been.

Despite his untouchable status, the bookmakers have placed an underdog tag on Mahomes once more, with the San Francisco 49ers currently favoured to prevail in Vegas. 

Much like the explanation behind the bookmakers belief in the Bills and Ravens in weeks prior, you can understand their logic. On paper, the 49ers roster is much more glamorous. The likes of McCaffery, Deebo Samuel, Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk arouse far more excitiement than the weathered Travis Kelce and the diverse and uninspiring assortment of Chiefs receivers.

Yet, time and time again, playoff football almost always comes down to the tale of the two quarterbacks. Whilst the Niners’ Brock Purdy has had great moments in his short two-year career, I really struggle to see a world where Mahomes lets ‘Mr Irrelevant’ get the better of him. 

If anything, this underdog tag handed to the Chiefs’ throughout their 2023 playoff run has added fire to the bellies of Mahomes, Kelce and coach Andy Reid. I’m sure, that behind closed doors, they find it laughable that their almost untouchable resumes are continually being doubted.

Mark your calendars for the Super Bowl on February the 11th, as it very well may be the last time anyone is foolish enough to doubt the inevitability of Patrick Mahomes.