The frequent playoff encounters between quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are becoming a defining feature of the NFL landscape. However, what makes this postseason rivalry unique is its decidedly one-sided nature. As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to host the Buffalo Bills for the AFC Championship on Sunday night, this match will mark the fourth postseason clash between these two elite quarterbacks in just five years. Mahomes has emerged victorious in all prior encounters, having won the 2020 AFC title game, the 2021 divisional round at home, and last season’s divisional round matchup in Buffalo.
This rivalry positions Mahomes and Allen among a limited group of quarterbacks who have faced each other at least four times in playoff situations. Historically, rivalries of this nature tend to feature a more balanced outcome. For instance, Tom Brady enjoyed a favorable start against Peyton Manning with wins in his first two playoff meetings, only to eventually lose the subsequent three matchups. Brady’s tenure also showcased split results against Joe Flacco, as the two teams alternated victories over a span of six seasons. Similarly, Ken Stabler defeated Terry Bradshaw in his initial and final playoff starts while falling short in the intervening contests.
The only similar one-sided series from history involved Brett Favre, who initially outperformed Steve Young in three consecutive playoff games before Young turned the tide with a memorable performance in the 1998 wild-card game. Favre added to his playoff success against the 49ers later on, demonstrating the potential for change over time in quarterback matchups. As Mahomes prepares to face Allen again, a victory would give him a fourth consecutive playoff win against the Bills, which could tie Allen with Aaron Rodgers for the most playoff losses to one opponent.
Switching gears to the NFC, Saquon Barkley has made headlines with his remarkable performances against the Los Angeles Rams. Following an extraordinary 255-yard regular season performance, Barkley topped that record with a playoff-high 205 rushing yards, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 28-22 victory. This achievement not only set a new franchise record but also placed Barkley in the rarefied air of fourth-most rushing yards ever recorded in a playoff game. His big plays, including two significant touchdown runs, have set a record for six rushing touchdowns of over 60 yards in a single season.
With Barkley’s combined yardage against the Rams this season reaching 460, he finds himself in an elite group of players who historically ran for enormous yardage against a single opponent within the same season. To further embellish this record, Barkley needs to achieve 135 yards against Washington, having already amassed 296 yards in their previous matchups.
Turning to coaching, Dan Quinn has orchestrated a significant turnaround for the Washington Commanders after taking over a team that posted a poor 4-13 record the previous season. Under Quinn’s guidance, the Commanders have advanced to the NFC title game, and a win would place him amongst a select group of coaches who have led their teams to the Super Bowl in their first full season. Only four of those coaches have claimed the Super Bowl trophy, highlighting the prestigious nature of such an accomplishment.
During this impressive run, it also underscores the Dallas Cowboys’ ongoing struggles. Despite being one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, the Cowboys have not reached the NFC championship game since the 1995 season—a stretch of 29 seasons. They find themselves among a limited number of AFC teams that have also failed to reach this stage in the past several decades.
The NFC North had a stellar regular season, with three teams achieving at least 11 wins. However, that success did not translate to the playoffs, as all three teams—Minnesota, Green Bay, and Detroit—were eliminated early. Notably, Detroit, which boasted an impressive 15-win regular season, became one of the few teams to achieve that standout record without a playoff victory.
In summary, the landscape of the NFL is filled with compelling storylines including unprecedented playoff rivalries, standout individual performances, and coaching successes, all leading up to a thrilling climax during the postseason.
