Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen Truly Spark Shades Of Legendary Patriots Rivalry

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning piloted the greatest NFL rivalry of the 21st century with classic battles between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts (followed by the Denver Broncos).

Those two quarterbacks combined for 14 Super Bowl appearances and nine championships. The eventual winning quarterbacks beat each other in the AFC Championship Game in four of those 14 appearances. Brady and Manning led legendary battles that sparked must-see TV. In fact, they’re one of just two quarterback pairings since the NFL merger to play eight times in a five-year stretch, per CBS Sports.

Here’s the results of that stretch from 2003-2007:

– 2003 Week 13: Patriots 38, Colts 34

– 2003 AFC Championship: Patriots 24, Colts 14

– 2004 Week 1: Patriots 27, Colts 24

– 2004 AFC Divisional: Patriots 20, Colts 3

– 2005 Week 9: Colts 40, Patriots 21

– 2006 Week 6: Colts 27, Patriots 20

– 2006 AFC Championship: Colts 38, Patriots 34

– 2007 Week 9: Patriots 24, Colts 20

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The other duo is a modern rivalry that, yes Patriots fans, has matched the hype. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen take the field against one another for the eighth time in five seasons Sunday. The teams meet on the same field in Orchard Park where Kansas City earned the first road playoff win of Mahomes’ career to spoil Allen and the Bills’ title dreams (again).

Here is the matchup from the memorable stretch between the modern AFC titans (no, not the Tennessee ones).

– 2020 Week 6: Chiefs 26, Bills 17

– 2020 AFC Championship: Chiefs 38, Bills 24

– 2021 Week 5: Bills 38, Chiefs 20

– 2021 AFC Divisional: Chiefs 42, Bills 36 (OT)

– 2022 Week 6: Bills 24, Chiefs 20

– 2023 Week 13: Bills 20, Chiefs 17

– 2023 AFC Divisional Round: Chiefs 27, Bills 24

– 2024 Week 11: Sunday 11/17 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Like Brady and Manning, the rivalry often exhibits all of the following: Elite quarterback play, plenty of drama and a fight to the final whistle. The playoff matchups defined their respective postseasons and paved the pathway to championships.

Mahomes took the role of Brady so far, winning three Super Bowl titles before turning 30 and beating Allen, as the Patriots did with Manning, multiple times along the way. Mahomes even alluded to similarities with the Brady-Manning rivalry after last year’s playoff win over Allen.

Often times with kneejerk comparisons to football greatness, the sample size cannot meet the level. This scenario is an exception. Mahomes and Allen combined for several instant classics, one quarterback backed them up with championships and consistently offered the game of the week when they took the field.

The Patriots and Colts are forever linked for their quarterback matchup, as are the Broncos when Manning led them to a pair of AFC titles over New England. Now, Kansas City and Buffalo hold a similar legacy from the ultimate clashes of Mahomes and Allen.