When the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs take the sector Thursday towards the Baltimore Ravens, they may start their quest to do one thing no NFL group has completed through the Tremendous Bowl period: win three straight championships.
Beginning in 1966 with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, winners of the primary two Tremendous Bowls, eight groups have gained back-to-back titles but zero had been in a position to seize an elusive third in a row. Right here’s a take a look at what sunk these groups, and at whether or not the Chiefs are able to avoiding the identical destiny and at last making historical past.
1968 Packers
The primary two Tremendous Bowl-winning Packers groups had been led by one of many biggest coaches in league historical past, Vince Lombardi. The 1968 Packers weren’t. Lombardi retired to the entrance workplace after Tremendous Bowl II, and the group clearly felt his absence on the sideline and missed the playoffs.
1974 Miami Dolphins
The primary of the Dolphins’ two Tremendous Bowl wins capped off an ideal season. After the second, they made it to the AFC Divisional Spherical in 1974. They misplaced to the Oakland Raiders in what’s now generally known as the “Sea of Arms” recreation. (It’s by no means a very good signal for a dropping group to be concerned in a recreation that has its personal particular title.) Oakland operating again Clarence Davis made an unbelievable landing catch amid a “sea of fingers“ within the recreation’s waning seconds to seal the win for the Raiders.
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Raiders did it once more to the 1976 Steelers, although this one was rather less dramatic. Whereas Oakland was clearly an elite group in its personal proper, the Raiders had been aided significantly by accidents once they knocked out Pittsburgh within the AFC Championship recreation. The Steelers had been with out their two 1,000-yard rushers, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, severely hurting their offense.
1980 Steelers
Searching for a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl once more and their fifth in seven seasons, the 1980 Steelers primarily aged out. The protection couldn’t recapture its earlier glory and the offense was a turnover machine. Pittsburgh went 9-7 and missed the playoffs, and lots of legends from its dynastic run retired after the season.
1990 San Francisco 49ers
The 1990 Niners (that’s a enjoyable one to say) made it to the NFC Championship Sport towards the Giants and had been main within the fourth quarter when QB Joe Montana suffered the untimeliest of accidents. With Montana out, New York pressured a turnover on San Francisco’s remaining offensive drive, establishing a game-winning subject objective as time expired.
1994 Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones has to look within the mirror for this one. The Cowboys did make it to the NFC Championship Sport … however they did so with out the coach who helped them win back-to-back Tremendous Bowls within the first place. Coach Jimmy Johnson, after clashing with Jones, resigned earlier than this season, resulting in Barry Switzer taking on the group. (Sarcastically, it was the 49ers who ended the three-peat bid.)
1999 Denver Broncos
Broncos QB John Elway rode off into the sundown after profitable back-to-back Tremendous Bowls, and changing him with Brian Griese roughly put an finish to Denver’s contender standing. It didn’t assist that future Corridor of Fame operating again Terrell Davis tore his ACL early within the season, both.
2005 New England Patriots
Winners of three of 4 Tremendous Bowls, the Patriots went 10-6 after some adjustments to their protection. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi had a stroke within the offseason however nonetheless got here again after saying he would sit out the season. Cornerback Ty Legislation was launched. Security Rodney Harrison suffered a season-ending harm in Week 3. New England made it to the Divisional Spherical however misplaced in a bonkers recreation to the Broncos. The Pats turned the ball over 5 instances, considered one of which led to a 100-yard interception return by Champ Bailey.
2024 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
So what can the Chiefs study from these groups? Properly, their coach didn’t retire or get in a combat with the proprietor, in order that’s good. Their quarterback hasn’t retired and lots of of their nice gamers are nonetheless of their prime, which additionally helps.
Patrick Mahomes (the back-to-back Tremendous Bowl MVP), Travis Kelce and five-time Professional Bowl defensive sort out Chris Jones are all nonetheless on the roster. Head coach Andy Reid is again, as are the offensive, defensive and particular groups coordinator from final yr’s Tremendous Bowl win. There are key departures, nevertheless, as cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was traded and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is now with the Payments. Rookies Xavier Worthy (receiver) and Kingsley Suamataia (left sort out) shall be anticipated to step up. The secondary is younger, and the receiving core is unproven.
Even when all of the roster questions are answered, can the Chiefs keep away from critical accidents? A fluke or miraculous play? A string of ill-timed turnovers? These points are an unavoidable a part of soccer — an injury-laden, low-possession recreation that’s nearly constructed for randomness. Heck, the Chiefs have already been the beneficiaries of a few of these issues. And with the league increasing the playoff subject because the final group to repeat, it’s by no means been tougher for a franchise to win three Tremendous Bowls in a row.
It’s going to be an uphill climb for Kansas Metropolis. And that climb begins Thursday.