The ongoing postseason rivalry between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen has become a notable aspect of the NFL landscape, with their latest showdown scheduled for Sunday night in the AFC title game. This matchup marks their fourth playoff face-off in just five seasons, where Mahomes has emerged victorious in each of the previous three encounters. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback previously secured wins in the 2020 AFC Championship Game, the 2021 divisional round, and again last season in Buffalo, establishing a significant lead in this competitive series.
Mahomes and Allen are part of a select group; they are the fifth pair of quarterbacks to meet at least four times in the playoffs. Interestingly, most of these matchups have generally been competitive. For instance, Tom Brady initially triumphed over Peyton Manning in their first two playoff meetings, only to lose the following three. Similarly, Brady had a balanced series against Joe Flacco, with the Patriots and Ravens alternating victories across six seasons.
Among other historical rivalries, Ken Stabler faced Terry Bradshaw, securing two wins but ultimately losing two as well, while Brett Favre won his first three playoff games against Steve Young before suffering a defeat in their fourth encounter. Mahomes is on the verge of making history, as a fourth playoff victory against the Bills would place him alongside notable quarterbacks who have achieved similar feats. However, a loss would mean that he and Allen would share an unfortunate record for the most playoff losses against a single opponent.
On another note, Saquon Barkley’s performance against the Los Angeles Rams has been nothing short of impressive. Following a remarkable 255-yard rushing game in the regular season against the same team, Barkley broke the Eagles’ playoff rushing record with 205 yards during their postseason confrontation, propelling Philadelphia to a 28-22 victory. This achievement places Barkley among an elite group, recording the fifth-highest rushing total in a playoff game, eclipsing the previous Eagles record established by Steve Van Buren.
Barkley’s explosive runs, including a 62-yard touchdown run and another of 78 yards, not only helped him secure this record but also contributed to his six touchdown runs of over 60 yards throughout the current season. With a total of 460 rushing yards against the Rams this season, he stands at the brink of joining a select group of players who have surpassed 430 rushing yards against the same opponent in a single season.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Coach Dan Quinn has orchestrated a remarkable transformation of the Commanders, guiding them from a dismal 4-13 finish last year to an appearance in the NFC title game. A victory this Sunday against Philadelphia would position Quinn as the ninth coach to lead a team to the Super Bowl in their first full season, uniquely achieving this after inheriting a team with a losing record.
If successful, he would join a distinguished group of coaches who have won the Super Bowl in their inaugural seasons, including Gary Kubiak and Jon Gruden. This is not the first time Quinn has reached this stage; he previously led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl during his time there. Should he succeed in making it to the Super Bowl again, Quinn could become the eighth coach to guide two franchises to that illustrious stage.
The Dallas Cowboys, however, remain a notable absence from this year’s conference title discussions. With their last appearance in the NFC Championship game dating back to the 1995 season, the franchise has faced a prolonged drought while still being tied for the tenth-most playoff entries in that timeframe. This trend highlights a disconnect between the historic success of the Cowboys as a franchise and their recent struggles to reach the upper echelons of the NFC.
In the NFC North, despite a historically strong regular season performance with three teams boasting over 11 wins, none were able to translate that success into playoff victories. This year marks the first occasion since the NFL merger where three teams from the same division made the playoffs, yet none advanced beyond the wild-card round. Particularly, the Lions have now joined a rare category, having seen a remarkable 15-win regular season culminate in an early playoff exit.
The changing landscape of the NFL playoffs indicates that every season brings new challenges and narratives, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the league. Each game presents an opportunity for players and coaches to establish their legacies while creating lasting memories for fans across the country.
