When the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs take the sector Thursday in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens, they may start their quest to do one thing no NFL staff has executed 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 have been capable of seize an elusive third. Right here’s a glance again at what sunk these groups, and if the Chiefs will likely be able to avoiding the identical destiny — or if they’ll lastly make historical past.
1968 Packers
The primary two Tremendous Bowl-winning Packers groups have been led by one of many biggest coaches in league historical past and one of many sport’s titanic figures, Vince Lombardi. The 1968 Packers weren’t. Lombardi retired to the entrance workplace after Tremendous Bowl II, and the staff clearly felt his absence on the sideline. Inexperienced Bay missed the playoffs fully the following season.
1974 Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been coming off two Tremendous Bowl wins — the primary of which capped off an ideal season — once they made all of it the way in which again to the AFC Divisional Spherical in 1974. They misplaced to the Oakland Raiders in what’s now often known as the “Sea of Arms” sport. (It’s by no means a superb signal for a shedding staff to be concerned in a sport that has its personal particular identify.) Oakland working again Clarence Davis made an unbelievable landing catch amid a “sea of fingers“ within the sport’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 staff in its personal proper, the Raiders have been aided vastly by accidents once they knocked out Pittsburgh in that season’s AFC Championship sport. The Steelers have been with out their two 1,000-yard rushers, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, severely hurting their offense.
1980 Steelers
On the lookout for a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl once more and 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 plenty 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 all of it the way in which again to the NFC Championship Recreation in opposition to the Giants and have been truly main within the fourth quarter when QB Joe Montana suffered the un-timeliest of accidents. With Montana out, New York pressured a turnover on San Francisco’s closing offensive drive, establishing a game-winning discipline purpose as time expired.
1994 Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones has to look within the mirror for this one. The Cowboys did make all of it the way in which again to the NFC Championship Recreation…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 up the staff. (Mockingly, it was the 49ers who ended the three-peat bid.)
1999 Denver Broncos
Broncos QB John Elway rode off into the sundown after successful 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 working 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 modifications 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 Regulation was launched. Security Rodney Harrison suffered a season-ending damage in Week 3. New England made it to the Divisional Spherical however misplaced in a bonkers sport to the Broncos. The Pats turned the ball over 5 occasions, one among 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 plenty 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, nonetheless, as cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was traded away and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is now with the Payments. Rookies Xavier Worthy (receiver) and Kingsley Suamataia (left sort out) will likely 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 sport 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 discipline because the final staff 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.
