Ever since the New England Patriots‘ dynasty started to wane several years ago, one team has reigned supreme in the AFC more than any other: the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs have now won seven straight AFC West titles, a streak that predates Patrick Mahomes taking over as their starting quarterback.
In fact, it is by far the longest such active streak in the entire NFL.
The Chiefs AFC West winning streak 😳 pic.twitter.com/Ad57AeEZAV
— PFF (@PFF) June 2, 2023
In 2016, the Chiefs started to become a force under head coach Andy Reid, as tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill emerged as stars and quarterback Alex Smith steadied the ship.
The following year, Mahomes was a rookie, and after losing in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, they made what seemed to be a bold decision at the time to go with Mahomes as their starter over Smith.
Mahomes had played in just one game as a rookie, but he took the league by storm in 2018, his first full year as a starter, by throwing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, earning him the league MVP award.
Just one season after that, he led Kansas City to their first Super Bowl championship since the 1969 campaign.
The big question for them as they look to defend their second world title in four seasons is how they will replace the production of wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is now with the Patriots.
He was the Chiefs’ most productive wideout in 2022 with 933 yards and three touchdowns, and he has instrumental in the Super Bowl, catching seven balls versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
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