No team has ever won three Super Bowls in a row, a fact that has entered the consciousness of the Kansas City Chiefs since they won a second straight title in February.
The goal this season was simple: win again (of course) but also create history.
Monday brought Patrick Mahomes’ diagnosis, a “mild” ankle sprain that makes the superstar quarterback’s availability a week-to-week proposition. This of course doesn’t end the Chiefs’ chances of winning another Lombardi, but it is the latest reminder of why the three-peat proved impossible.
Injuries. Chance. Timing. Age. Complacency. Opponents.
Having the best team or player isn’t always enough in a hyper-competitive league designed to upgrade as many ships as possible.
This is a temporary setback for Mahomes, but it comes at a difficult time in the season. Kansas City hosts Houston on Saturday – already a short week – then travels to Pittsburgh for a Christmas game four days later.
Three games in 11 days on an injured ankle. It’s enough to remind everyone of the unexpected obstacles teams face over the course of a 17-game season and why Kansas City has gone into full debate mode on what to do with its QB.
The Chiefs hold a two-game lead (but not the tiebreaker) in a battle with the Bills for first place in the AFC overall, giving them a bye into the first round of the playoffs. But KC’s remaining schedule – Texans, Steelers, Broncos – is a challenge compared to Buffalo’s – Patriots, Jets, Patriots.
Rest and recovery for Mahomes or do everything to continue playing?
“You have to (try),” Mahomes said Tuesday. “That’s why you play this game, to push you to play. I’m not going to put our team in a bad position. It’s about seeing where I am. I am a competitor. I want to go there and play.
“Let’s see what he does,” added coach Andy Reid. “Today is a lighter day. He will talk to me. The doctor will talk to me. If he can go, he will go. If he can’t, he can’t. It’s that simple. This is how we’re going to roll. I’ll just take it day by day and see how he goes.
Kansas City could clinch first place by beating Houston and Pittsburgh, allowing a chance to rest in a Week 18 matchup against Denver – essentially a double bye-plus – until the divisional round on the 18th or 19th. January.
“Just as important as being healthy is getting that No. 1 seed,” Mahomes said.
“Just like the playoffs are three weeks away, go out and win two games, you’re going to have a long break…” Mahomes said. “You’re going to have another extended period of time.
“If you can get through these games and win these games against two great opponents, that would give you some momentum going into the playoffs and hopefully give you some breathing room at the end,” he said. continued.
TRUE.
However, victory is not guaranteed. Mahomes also isn’t aggravating the ankle or anything else. Injuries are always a part of football, but risk factors must be considered.
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Mahomes also joins a parade of injuries at key positions – wide receiver Rashee Rice, cornerback Jaylen Watson, wide receiver Hollywood Brown, etc. Running back Isiah Pacheco and kicker Harrison Butker also missed time.
It’s all part of the game, of course. And injuries — including those to Mahomes — have impacted other Super Bowl seasons. The NFL is always a game of attrition and no one has handled it better than Kansas City.
Still, it’s another hurdle to overcome — with Buffalo, Baltimore and others with their own Super Bowl aspirations.
What Kansas City is trying to do is what New England (2003-04), Denver (1997-98), Dallas (1992-93), San Francisco (1988-89), Pittsburgh (1978-79 and 1974-75), Miami (1972-73) and Green Bay (1966-67) before them did not succeed.
Many of these teams weren’t even facing salary cap restrictions or other parity-seeking initiatives. Still, it’s up to Mahomes to do what Tom Brady, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw (twice), Bob Griese and Bart Starr couldn’t do.
That’s how difficult it is. That’s how much it goes beyond talent, project, coaching and desire.
The good news for Kansas City is that Mahomes should be fine in January. The bad news is that the Chiefs may not have that advantageous path to the Super Bowl if he has to sit to heal in the meantime.
There’s no telling what’s going to happen and no one should ever doubt KC and their quarterback, but the three-peat was never achieved for a reason.
History is difficult to do.
