It seems that the NFL has found in Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) and in Joe Burrow (Cincinnati) to the new protagonists of the stories of the present and the future, today said rivalry is more than cooked. Both quarterbacks have given away matchups worthy of the history books. They are barely two young people in search of consecration and they already remind other figures who also had legendary rivalries.
This duel has all the ingredients to be unforgettable. Both quarterbacks are “the new blood.” On their shoulders rest the expectations for the generational change in the NFL, children will grow up seeing them as their idols. They also represent the resurgence of two franchises that until a few years ago were not listed by titles. And no less important, as long as the two are on the same field of play there is a guarantee of emotions.
On the night of January 29, both QBs measured each other in search of reaching the Super Bowl LVII and they gave away another electrifying duel. Patrick Mahomes was trying to break Burrow’s hegemony over him, who had won all the previous duels (3), including last year’s AFC final.
The 2018 MVP did it, the Arrowhead Stadium was the scene where, finally, Burrow fell defeated at the hands of Mahomes. The score was 23 to 20 in favor of Kansas City, and although the pitcher for the Bosses he had an ankle injury, he did enough to come out on top. In fact, a career, faithful to his risky style, provoked the punishment committed by Joseph Ossaiwhich triggered the game-winning field goal.
Nothing can be blamed on Burrow. He did everything and more to command his team until his last instances; although yes, he had mistakes like the two interceptions. He tried but in front of him he had the feeling quarterback, the one who at 27 years old already has a championship ring and has led the Chiefs to 5 conference finals and 3 Super Bowls in 5 years.
There are several elements that make a quarterback great: championship rings, passing in key situations, how they handle pressure and more. But another factor that also fuels that greatness is the rivalry against another high-quality pitcher. One becomes good when the rival is the same or better.
This is the phenomenon that occurs between Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. While the Kansas City QB was proclaimed as the face of the new generation of the NFL, he felt almighty and even invincible, Burrow appeared, who with a rookie profile had overshadowed him every time he had the opportunity. He made it difficult for him to do a job that “he had earned”, he took him out of his comfort zone, so now, Patrick has become a more complete pitcher.
On the other hand, Joe has great motivation thanks to his opponent. Without Mahomes, he would possibly be the highest ranked QB, and even the most media. But if he wants to transcend seriously, he will have to redouble his efforts to overcome that great wall that represents the 15 of Kansas City, although he has already shown that he has the weapons to do so.
Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs and Burrow for the Bengals from Cincinnati, this duel will be recurring in the fight for the American Conference title (until one of them changes teams) and in the NFL spotlight. Despite their youth, they already remind us of other historical rivalries.
the other rivalries
Today Tom Brady is considered the greatest quarterback of all time, but there was a time when the Manning name got in the way. Both shared the American Conference; Brady in the Pats and Peyton in the Colts from Indianapolis and later with the Denver Broncos.
During the years that they shared the field, they faced each other 17 times. The first game was in the 2001 regular season and the winner was a rookie Brady. The last one was for the ticket to Super Bowl L (2016), the game went to Peyton when he was already wearing the colors of Denver.
The record ended with 11-6 in favor of Brady, but in the Playoffs Manning was superior, he beat him 3 times while Tom could only defeat him 2 times.
This rivalry, in addition to thrilling thousands of NFL fans, showed that what makes a good QB is facing another of the same caliber or even better. Admiration has never been lacking for either party.
In the mid-1980s, an unforgettable rivalry was born in the AFC. Marino was the leader of the Miami Dolphins, while Kelly commanded the Buffalo Bills, a team known for winning the conference title for 4 consecutive years (1990-1993) and never getting a Super Bowl.
This is one of the most remembered confrontations of all time due to the number of games between the two quarterbacks. In total, they met 21 times and the victory went to Kelly, who he beat Marino 14 times, 3 of them in the Playoffs (3-0).
Jim’s hegemony over Dan kept the Dolphins quarterback from competing on the big stages. Dan Marino only played in one Super Bowl, he did it in 1985 and he lost to the 49ers by Joe Montana.
Today we remember the Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers as one of the most storied and emotional duels in the NFL. We can thank the cross between two legends for such a label: Troy Aikman vs. Steve Young. They both won 3 Super Bowl rings.
The National Conference had the privilege of experiencing one of the most exciting rivalries, which is why they never met on the highest stage (Super Bowl).
The Dallas pitcher surpassed Steve Young in the personal duel, he won 4 of 7 (2 of them for the NFC title). However, Aikman fell in 1994 at the hands of a revenge-seeking Steve; even that game at Candlestick Park is considered by the NFL as one of the best 100 in all history.
The debates to know who was the best number 8 are current, the truth is that both demonstrated their greatness despite the enormous quality of the other.
