The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, not only defending their title from the previous year but also clinching their third triumph in the past five years. This is what we call a dynasty in the NFL. A comment.
Whoever manages to win three titles in a short period of time in the NFL deserves the title of Dynasty. The Steelers won four Super Bowls between 1974 and 1979 in the 70s, the 49ers won four titles in the 80s and added one more in the mid-90s. The Cowboys won three titles in four years in the 1990s and the Patriots ultimately won six in 17 years. Now the age of the Kansas City Chiefs has arrived.
And since Patrick Mahomes is just 28 years old, there isn’t really an end in sight yet. Super Bowl 58 once again underlined it quite well: Even when things weren’t going well and you were ten points behind in the Super Bowl, it was ultimately Mahomes who pulled the trigger and turned the game in favor of the Chiefs for the third time.
Mahomes did it through the air, he did it with read options on the ground. In short, he once again did everything that was necessary to win the Super Bowl. And this title is special because it not only marked the first title defense since 2004, but because it was a title at the end of a year that was more uncharacteristic for Mahomes and Co. than any other.
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These Chiefs were not dominant. They didn’t have a good offense for much of the season. Mahomes’ numbers were all worse than usual, as was Travis Kelce, who went over a month without a touchdown. It was a bit reminiscent of the late phase of the Lakers dynasty of Phil Jackson’s first time there with Shaq and Kobe at the turn of the millennium in the NBA. A team that was no longer outstandingly good over the entire season. But also one that turned upside down when the playoffs came.
Mahomes made more plays again, Kelce was suddenly back in form and carried the team. He was logged out for a long time in the Super Bowl, but woke up after halftime. The play with which he brutally destroyed his guard Fred Warner in the final seconds of regular time was probably the play of the game. It put the Chiefs in the red zone and so close to the decision. They were content with a field goal, but that forced overtime, in which Mahomes was once again the decisive man – with his arm, but also with his legs.
The defense that carried the team to the Super Bowl also needs to be highlighted. There were also some key plays in the game itself, but they weren’t necessarily reflected in the box score. Nevertheless, it was once again edge rusher Chris Jones who often forced Brock Purdy to make hasty throws or Trent McDuffie who ended a drive with a blitz including a pass breakup at the line.
Above all, Steve Spagnuolo once again brought the house home at the right time, unsettling Purdy and keeping his team in the game. “Spags” has now won his fourth ring. Not too many assistant coaches can say that.
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This is what Patrick Mahomes has in common with NFL icon Tom Brady
The question that now arises is about the future. How long will Andy Reid keep going? How long Travis Kelce? Both are relatively old for their respective positions. But the prospect of being able to continue chasing the title with Mahomes should remain tempting for both of them. Defensively, there is currently a risk of some key players leaving. Particularly in the case of Chris Jones, a departure must at least be expected, after all, he wants to be paid according to market value.
But whatever this team looks like next season, one thing should already be clear. As long as Mahomes is on the field, the Chiefs are a title contender. And even if Tom Brady’s seven rings still seem a long way away, he already has this status in common with the GOAT.
Marcus Blumberg