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There are very few quarterbacks in the current NFL who can boast a winning record against Patrick Mahomes. Since taking over as the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, Mahomes has compiled an impressive regular season record of 73-22 (76.84%). With four Super Bowl appearances, three victories, and three Super Bowl MVP awards, along with a 15-3 playoff record, Mahomes has dominated the league and become the player to beat, a "necessary evil" for the league.
Mahomes' Kryptonite
Among the few quarterbacks who have a positive record against Mahomes, Jared Goff stands out. Goff defeated Mahomes in the memorable 54-51 Monday Night showdown between the Rams and Chiefs in 2018 and again in the kickoff game last year with the Detroit Lions. The other notable quarterback is Joe Burrow, who was the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Burrow has a 3-1 record against Mahomes, making him Mahomes' Achilles' heel. Speaking about this young rivalry on the "Up & Adams" show, Burrow said, "It's an opportunity every time you go against him too because you know all eyes are gonna be on it. It's always exciting. We've played each other so many times now."
Their rivalry has the potential to become a Brady-Manning kind of saga. Burrow acknowledged the greatness of Mahomes by stating, "gotta go out and make plays cause you know he's gonna go out and make plays and that brings out the best in me." Respecting Mahomes' achievements, Burrow and the Bengals remain the only team besides Tom Brady to defeat Mahomes in the playoffs. The AFC is brimming with quarterback talent, but Burrow and Mahomes stand out for their clutch performances in high-pressure situations.
Burrow Time
Entering his fifth season in the NFL, Burrow has shown exceptional performance when healthy. In the two seasons he was injury-free, he led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance against the Rams and a lost AFC Championship game against the Chiefs. However, his two season-ending injuries have raised concerns about his durability. Burrow's new contract led to Joe Mixon's departure to the Texans, and it is likely that Tee Higgins will follow next year as Ja'Marr Chase is next in line for a substantial contract.
Regardless of the outcomes, Week 2's Sunday Night matchup promises a thrilling encounter between Mahomes' Chiefs, featuring Travis Kelce and Isaiah Pacheco, against Burrow's Bengals with Chase and Higgins. If Burrow remains healthy this season, it's highly probable that we'll witness Mahomes vs. Burrow 3.0 in the playoffs. The Ravens, Texans, and Dolphins are the teams that could potentially disrupt this anticipated showdown.