(Kansas City) The Kansas City Chiefs have won six consecutive All-American West Division titles, something they’ve never done before.
Posted at 5:12 p.m.
Sunday, for the fourth time in a row, they will host the AFC championship game, with the Cincinnati Bengals as rivals.
The Chiefs have appeared in the last two Super Bowls, winning it in 2020.
They established several NFL marks thanks to the exceptional play of Patrick Mahomes and the brilliant guidance of coach Andy Reid.
Are the Chiefs following in the footsteps of the Patriots as a football dynasty, or are they just the latest hot team?
“I think it was in 2008 or 2009 that (team chief executive) Clark Hunt said we were going to try to put in place an organization that would consistently go for the title,” the Chiefs president said. Mark Donovan.
“And here we are, hosting the AFC Championship for the fourth time in a row. Never seen. It’s a special moment for the fans, a special moment for us. We are grateful for this opportunity given to us. »
When Hunt made the proclamation, the Chiefs hadn’t won a playoff game in over two decades. They only won two games in 2008 and 2012.
Then one day Hunt met Reid in Philadelphia and changed the course of the organization.
The Chiefs had 11 wins in 2013 and have since finished every campaign with a winning record.
If they beat the Bengals on Sunday, they would be in the Super Bowl for a third straight year.
Does that make the Chiefs a dynasty?
Don’t count on Reid to answer this question directly.
“Look, maybe I’ll do it later,” he said, about putting recent years into perspective. But for now, we’re focusing on Cincinnati. It is important that we are very well prepared. »
The Chiefs have won six straight playoff games at home, one of the 10 longest streaks since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Of the seven clubs to have reached the AFC or NFC Ultimate Game four times in a row, they are the first to play at home on each occasion.
A third straight Super Bowl appearance would tie Don Shula’s Dolphins of the early ’70s and Bill Belichick’s Patriots of 2016-18 (as the only teams to have done so while earning at least one win).
Dynasties have tended to have had high-scoring quarterback-coach duos. Vince Lombardi’s Packers had Bart Starr. Chuck Noll had Terry Bradshaw. Bill Walsh directed Joe Montana and George Seifert, Steve Young. Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer bet on Troy Aikman, and Belichick had Tom Brady.
Sort of like Reid and Mahomes in Kansas City.
Whether or not the Chiefs are already a dynasty is up for debate. But with Reid firmly in place, Mahomes on a strong long-term contract and many key players on long-term contracts, such as Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Chris Jones, the Chiefs appear to be on the road to long-term success.
“As long as we keep our people, we have a chance to be good every year,” Mahomes said. There are a lot of great clubs in the NFL. You just have to try to be better every year. »
