Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is interviewed by Netflix reporter Stacey Dales following a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

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NFL Playoffs: Either of these QBs have featured in the AFC Championship for 14 straight years!

14 years of AFC greatness: Brady and Mahomes' unmatched streak.

Since 2011, the AFC Championship has been synonymous with greatness, showcasing either Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. This jaw-dropping streak of dominance has cemented their legacies as two of the most impactful quarterbacks in NFL history.

Brady’s reign began with the New England Patriots, and for nearly a decade, he was a fixture in the AFC title game, leading his team to victories against juggernauts like the Ravens, Colts, and Broncos. When Brady passed the torch to Mahomes in 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback wasted no time making his mark. Mahomes’ record-breaking performances have propelled the Chiefs to five consecutive AFC Championship games, including their most recent showdown.

Mahomes’ quest to surpass playoff legends

Patrick Mahomes continues to rewrite the NFL’s postseason record books. With the Chiefs’ win over the Texans in the divisional round, Mahomes now boasts a 16-3 playoff record, surpassing Joe Montana’s legendary 14-4 start. The win also marks Mahomes’ seventh straight appearance in the AFC title game since becoming Kansas City’s starter.

Patrick Mahomes has won 14+ games 3 times in his first 8 seasons

Tom Brady won 14+ games 4 times in his 23-year career pic.twitter.com/a1Ijildjn4
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 28, 2024

With 13 games of a 100+ passer rating in the playoffs, Mahomes has now overtaken Montana and sits just behind Brady’s record of 19. His postseason numbers remain staggering, with over 5,300 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and a 115.8 passer rating—statistics that signal his chase for Brady’s legacy is far from over.

Brady’s lasting legacy in the AFC

Tom Brady’s dominance in the AFC during his time with the Patriots remains one of the most remarkable achievements in NFL history. From 2011 to 2018, Brady led his team to eight consecutive AFC title games, claiming three Super Bowl victories during that span. His ability to excel under pressure against fierce rivals like Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger solidified his reputation as the ultimate postseason competitor.

Even after leaving the Patriots, Brady’s influence on the AFC Championship lingers. His epic battle with Mahomes in the 2018 championship game was a passing-of-the-torch moment, with Brady’s Patriots narrowly edging the Chiefs in overtime. That victory marked the final chapter of Brady’s AFC dominance before he added a seventh Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Will the streak continue?

With Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs remain the favorites to extend this remarkable streak. Their divisional-round victory showcased the grit and offensive firepower that has defined their playoff runs under Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. Meanwhile, rising stars like C.J. Stroud and Joe Burrow pose serious challenges, but the Chiefs’ consistency gives them the edge.

Playoff stats before turning 30:

Mahomes— Brady—
5,135 YDS 3,217 YDS
41 TD 20 TD
8 INT 9 INT
3x SB Champ 3x SB Champ
3x SB MVP 2x SB MVP

Mahomes is only 28. pic.twitter.com/82eIovOwP7
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 12, 2024

Should Kansas City prevail again this postseason, the Brady-Mahomes AFC Championship stranglehold would enter its 14th year—an unmatched testament to the dominance of two generational quarterbacks. As the NFL playoffs march on, one thing is certain: the road to the Super Bowl still runs through these legendary QBs.

(image: Imagn Images)

Patrick Mahomes

Tom Brady

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
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