“The Next Great Rivalry?”
In the world of the NFL, few things spark as much excitement as a budding rivalry between two of the league’s biggest stars. Think back to the epic battles between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. It’s a rivalry that captivated fans for years, pushing both quarterbacks to new heights and adding to the lore of the NFL.
The Rivalry Between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen
A Promise of More to Come
Just over two months ago, as CBS cameras swept in behind quarterback Josh Allen following the Buffalo Bills’ midseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen’s nemesis Patrick Mahomes — who is really more of a frenemy — appeared over his right shoulder. Mahomes and the Chiefs had just lost to Allen and the Bills for the fourth time in five regular-season games, leaving Allen some distinctly gerrymandered bragging rights.
As they approached each other for an embrace near midfield on that November night, Mahomes smiled knowingly. He might have been leaving another regular-season game against Allen with a defeat, but he also still had the edge where it counted most: 3-0 in the playoffs; three Super Bowl rings and counting to Allen’s zero. So it makes sense that when Mahomes saw Allen, he put a pin into the November defeat by uttering the words so many football fans — and arguably every single NFL executive — wanted to hear.
“We’ll do it again, baby,” Mahomes said, leaning into Allen’s ear. It wasn’t a prediction. It was a promise. This is the foundation of what fuels the Chiefs versus the Bills in Sunday’s AFC championship game — a Mahomes versus Allen subplot that has a chance to grow into a prolonged battle of story-tale significance in the league’s 104-year chronology.
It’s maybe even to the point of being this era’s Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning, a defining quarterback rivalry that will live forever in the NFL’s ever-expanding fusion of history and mythology. Bury the league. Freeze it over. Leave it for aliens to unearth in 10,000 years. Brady versus Manning will be the Achilles versus Hector of the NFL’s enduring legends.
Of course, Mahomes versus Allen isn’t quite on the level of Brady and Manning. Not quite yet. To have that kind of interwoven fabric between two careers, there has to be a consequential breakthrough that changes the landscape. At some point, both quarterbacks have to lose something meaningful at the hands of the other.
Thus far, Allen and the Bills have lived up to only the lesser part of the equation — taking from Mahomes and the Chiefs repeatedly in the regular season but giving it all back when the two collide in the playoffs. For Allen and the Bills, the postseason losses have always been particularly crushing.
- First in a 2020 AFC championship game that didn’t even seem as close as the 38-24 outcome.
- Then in the infamous “13 seconds” game in the 2021 season’s divisional round, which saw the Chiefs mount a seemingly impossible late comeback before prevailing 42-36 in overtime.
- And finally, in the 2023 season’s divisional round, which featured a consequential missed fourth-quarter field goal by Buffalo and a squandered home-field advantage in a 27-24 loss.
That final defeat spawned Allen’s famously dejected “It sucks” postgame speech, marking a new low point in Buffalo’s battle to get past the Chiefs. This is how it can go in these kinds of rivalries.
The Context of the Rivalry
Mahomes’ Dominance in the Playoffs
Mahomes has a 3-0 record against Allen in the playoffs, with three Super Bowl rings and counting to Allen’s zero. This dominance in the postseason is a key factor in the Mahomes versus Allen rivalry.
In contrast, Allen has struggled against Mahomes in the playoffs, with a 0-3 record and no Super Bowl wins. This lack of success against Mahomes in the playoffs has made it difficult for Allen to gain traction in the rivalry.
- Mahomes has a +10 point differential against Allen in the playoffs, with an average margin of victory of 7.3 points.
- Allen has averaged 17.7 points per game against Mahomes in the playoffs, while Mahomes has averaged 28.3 points per game against Allen.
- Allen has had more success against Mahomes in the regular season than in the playoffs, with a 4-1 record compared to a 0-3 record.
- The average margin of victory for Allen against Mahomes in the regular season is 3.3 points, compared to a 7.3 point margin in the playoffs.
Allen’s Regular Season Success Against Mahomes
Despite Mahomes’ dominance in the playoffs, Allen has had success against him in the regular season. Allen has a 4-1 record against Mahomes in the regular season, with a +3 point differential.
In the regular season, Allen has averaged 24.4 points per game against Mahomes, while Mahomes has averaged 21.1 points per game against Allen.
The Importance of the Playoffs in this Rivalry
The playoffs are a crucial aspect of the Mahomes versus Allen rivalry. The winner of the AFC championship game will earn a spot in Super Bowl LVIII, and the loser will be eliminated from the playoffs.
The pressure of the playoffs has brought out the best in Mahomes, who has a 3-0 record against Allen in the postseason. In contrast, Allen has struggled against Mahomes in the playoffs, with a 0-3 record and no Super Bowl wins.
The Quest for a Consequential Breakthrough
The Need for Allen to Beat Mahomes in the Playoffs
For Allen to gain traction in the rivalry, he needs to beat Mahomes in the playoffs. This would be a consequential breakthrough that would change the landscape of the rivalry.
A win for Allen against Mahomes in the playoffs would not only give him a much-needed confidence boost but also prove that he is capable of beating Mahomes in a high-pressure situation.
The Impact of a Consequential Breakthrough on this Rivalry
A consequential breakthrough for Allen against Mahomes would elevate the rivalry to a new level. It would create a sense of parity between the two quarterbacks and make the rivalry more competitive and exciting.
The breakthrough would also create a new narrative thread in the rivalry. It would shift the focus from Mahomes’ dominance to a more even and competitive dynamic.
The Potential for a Long-Term Rivalry Like Brady vs. Manning
A consequential breakthrough for Allen against Mahomes would create a long-term rivalry like the one between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
The Brady-Manning rivalry was a defining feature of the NFL in the early 2000s. It was a rivalry that spanned over a decade and created a sense of history and mythology around the two quarterbacks.
A consequential breakthrough for Allen against Mahomes would create a similar dynamic. It would elevate the rivalry to a new level and make it a defining feature of the NFL for years to come.
The Brady vs. Manning Comparison
The Similarities Between the Two Rivalries
The Mahomes-Allen rivalry shares some similarities with the Brady-Manning rivalry. Both rivalries feature two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, with a long history of competition and a high level of intensity.
Both rivalries also feature a high-stakes nature, with the winner of the AFC championship game earning a spot in Super Bowl LVIII.
- The Brady-Manning rivalry was a defining feature of the NFL in the early 2000s, with a long history of competition and a high level of intensity.
- The rivalry was marked by a series of epic battles, including the famous “Immaculate Reception” game in 2004.
- The Brady-Manning rivalry was marked by a long period of dominance by Brady, with six Super Bowl wins and three MVP awards.
- In contrast, the Mahomes-Allen rivalry is still in its early stages, with Mahomes having a 3-0 record against Allen in the playoffs.
The Differences Between the Two Rivalries
Despite the similarities, there are also some key differences between the Mahomes-Allen rivalry and the Brady-Manning rivalry.
The Brady-Manning rivalry was marked by a long period of dominance by Brady, with six Super Bowl wins and three MVP awards.
In contrast, the Mahomes-Allen rivalry is still in its early stages, with Mahomes having a 3-0 record against Allen in the playoffs.
The Significance of the Rivalry for the NFL
The Impact on the League’s History and Mythology
The Mahomes-Allen rivalry has the potential to be a defining feature of the NFL for years to come. It would create a new narrative thread in the league’s history and mythology.
The rivalry would also elevate the NFL’s brand and identity, making it a more exciting and competitive league.
The Practical Implications for the NFL
The Mahomes-Allen rivalry would have significant practical implications for the NFL. It would create a new storyline and narrative thread in the league’s history and mythology.
The rivalry would also drive interest and engagement among fans, making the league more exciting and competitive.
- The Mahomes-Allen rivalry would create a new storyline and narrative thread in the league’s history and mythology.
- The rivalry would also drive
Conclusion
The Birth of a Legendary Rivalry: Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, the Next Chapter in NFL History
In the article “We’ll do it again, baby’: Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen — the NFL’s new Brady vs. Manning — can add to its legend,” the prospect of a new, epic rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen has been expertly explored. The piece skillfully highlights the parallels between the budding Mahomes-Allen rivalry and the iconic Brady-Manning showdown that captivated the league in the early 2000s. We see the emergence of two titans, each with their unique playing styles, unparalleled talent, and unrelenting competitive drive, destined to clash on the gridiron and etch their mark on NFL history.
The significance of this rivalry cannot be overstated. It has the potential to captivate a new generation of football fans, fueling a fresh wave of excitement, debate, and intrigue around the league. As the Mahomes-Allen rivalry unfolds, it will undoubtedly shape the narrative of the NFL, with each game serving as a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and the limitless potential of these two extraordinary quarterbacks. Furthermore, this rivalry has the power to transcend the sport itself, inspiring a broader cultural conversation about the intersection of talent, hard work, and determination.
As we eagerly anticipate the next showdown between Mahomes and Allen, one thing is certain: this rivalry is destined to be etched in the annals of NFL history, alongside the likes of Brady-Manning and Montana-Supe. The question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next? Will Mahomes and Allen continue to push each other to new heights, fueling a legendary rivalry that will leave us all in awe? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the NFL is about to witness greatness on a whole new level.