NEW ORLEANS — For nearly two decades the New England Patriots dominated the NFL like no other franchise ever.
Across 19 seasons (2001-2019), they won 17 AFC East divisional crowns, made 17 playoff appearances and reached nine Super Bowls, winning six of them. Arguably their best team — in 2007 — was the first to go 18-0 … only to lose at the end.
It’s not a shock that some team would come along to challenge that run of greatness. It is that it happened immediately — the end of the Patriots’ reign corresponds with the ascension of these Kansas City Chiefs, who are seeking their fourth Super Bowl title, and third consecutive, in six seasons when they face Philadelphia Sunday.
Let’s be clear: the Chiefs haven’t reached New England’s level yet.
Over the last dozen years, Kansas City has been to five Super Bowls (and with a chance to add to those three titles) while making 11 playoff appearances via nine division crowns.
It’s an incredible stretch, but do it for another half decade and then let’s compare.
Likewise, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making a charge at Tom Brady’s illustrious career, he isn’t there yet. Mahomes has three titles to Brady’s seven (six of them with New England).
Mahomes is only 29 years old, so there is time.
There is one place, though, that the supremacy debate is getting particularly close — Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid vs. New England’s Bill Belichick.
Belichick, 72, is now the head coach at the University of North Carolina. He is widely regarded as the greatest coach of all time, in part because of his six Super Bowl titles, his innovative game plans and his two Lombardi’s won as defensive coordinator with the 1980s New York Giants.
Reid, 66, may never be as appreciated as Belichick, but he is quickly making the case that his resume as a head coach is on par with BB. Another Super Bowl would be a step in that direction.
As of now, Belichick has a lot going for him. His six titles to Reid’s current three is a…
..
