For the six seasons that Patrick Mahomes Jr. has been the starting quarterback, he has played in the AFC championship every year. This season will see the Chiefs go to the Superbowl for the second-straight year and the fourth time in five years.

The Chiefs’ offence was not the juggernaut that has characterised the Mahomes era, with usually reliable receivers not making catches and being stifled by teams that have traditionally been an easy ask for the Champions.

The Chiefs had a change at offensive coordinator this season and many people believe that to be the source of their unsettled play at times throughout the season. However, this is arguably the best defence in the Mahomes’ era and they managed to stay in games long enough for the offensive line to get some rhythm.

Despite having a season that was lackluster by their usual standards, the Chiefs won their division and headed into the postseason with some questions still unanswered. With other teams having more dominant years, this would be the first time in Mahomes’ career that a path to the Superbowl did not go through his home field at Arrowhead Stadium and he would have to prove himself on the road to lead the team back to the “big show”.

The wild card round was the Chiefs’ only home playoff game and featured a reunion with their starwide receiver Tyreek Hill, who was in his second season with the Miami Dolphins. The game was one of the coldest games in NFL history, with -9 degree temperature at kickoff. Kansas City opened the scoring and maintained the lead for the entire game and the Dolphins never joined the contest in a significant way. The Chiefs won the game 26-7 and their road journey to Las Vegas would commence.

Having lost to the Buffalo Bills earlier in the season, this would be a true test of grit for the Chiefs, who have broken Bills’ hearts before. They have not had to venture to Buffalo in the post season and the Bills hoped to exorcise the demons of two season prior, that saw tight end Travis Kelce play a pivotal role in a 13 second drive at the end of regulation to set up a win in overtime and eliminate Josh Allen and the Bills.

The Bills maintained touching distance all game and went into halftime with a four point lead. However, the defense, which has been the saving grace all year, recalibrated in the break and the Bills’ offence only managed one more score for the rest of the game and the Chiefs would get the better of their familiar foes 24-27.

The Baltimore Ravens were the best team in the NFL all season. Lamar Jackson’s patented athleticism led his offense to staggering heights in the regular season. They sealed the number one seed in the AFC and enjoyed a first-round bye as a result. They had one less game leading into the AFC championship showdown and were at home with an MVP quarterback.

However, Mahomes and Kelce would remind the league that they have the best connection in football and Kelce was a perfect 11/11 on receptions, including the first touchdown of the game. An impressive touchdown drive from the Ravens seemed to suggest that it would be a shootout. However, the defence, who have not allowed more than a single touchdown in the entire second half all season, struck again and the Ravens usual smooth offence was stifled. The game ended with an incredible game-winning reception by Marques Valdes-Scantling and the Chiefs were able to run time and win 17-10.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs proved they did not need the comfort of their home field to compete at the highest level and are headed back to the Superbowl, where they will seek to become the first team to win back to back since Tom Brady’s Patriots. Travis Kelce has already passed the legendary Jerry Rice’s playoff reception record and he and Mahomes also hold the record for touchdown passes to a single receiver in the post season.

This could be the Superbowl that will elevate Mahomes into rarified “Brady air” should he win his third and will cement the Chiefs as the dynasty team of this era.

Superbowl LVIII will take place on Sunday, February 11, at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.