Few single-time champions get their names added into the all-time annals. Win one, and it’s a unique joy for everyone, but it’s forgotten almost just as quickly. Win two, and you’re exhausted. Driven mad by a sense of relief, but also, oddly, you feel euphoric and accomplished. Win three or more, and they make movies about you. You go on Saturday Night Live. You meet multiple Presidents. You pass the Non-Sports Friend test where you’re a common enough pillar of culture that someone who doesn’t even pay attention to football still knows who you are or of you.
The Pat Mahomes-Andy Reid Chiefs have unquestionably been the NFL’s best team over the last half-decade. 48 regular-season wins and eight playoff victories in four years. Countless thrills and exciting last-minute comebacks. An intimidating monolith of a football team that may as well have its own aura as an accompaniment every time it hits the field.
Come Sunday, when the Chiefs host the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game (-7.5 favorites to advance to Super Bowl LVI, according to Tipico Sportsbook), they will officially become the first team ever to host four straight conference title games.
