NFL
Patrick Mahomes, in the footsteps of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees
Since 2000, only Manning, Brees and Brady have managed to lift the Vince Lombardi in a season in which they started 5-0.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated five weeks into the 2024 NFL season, a strong indication that the two-time NFL MVP is following in the footsteps of other legendary quarterbacks.
Since 2000, only three quarterbacks have started a season 5-0 and gone on to win the Super Bowl: Tom Brady in 2004, Peyton Manning in 2006 and 2015, and Drew Brees in 2009. Now, it’s up to Mahomes to join their ranks.
In 2004, after winning their second Super Bowl in three years, Brady’s Patriots began the season 6-0 before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they exacted revenge in the AFC Championship Game, dominating the Steelers en route to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Peyton Manning proved his greatness in 2006 by leading the Indianapolis Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI. That season, the Colts boasted the league’s best passing offence, thanks to the dynamic duo of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. The Tony Dungy-coached team started the season 9-0 and finished 12-4, earning a playoff berth. Despite the challenges, the Colts triumphed over the Chiefs, Ravens, and Patriots, before defeating the Chicago Bears 29-17 in the Super Bowl.
In 2015, Manning’s Broncos started 7-0, but he was sidelined for part of the season with plantar fasciitis. Backup quarterback Brock Osweiler filled in, and Manning returned for the playoffs. The Broncos ultimately faced Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, where Denver’s defence overwhelmed the MVP-led Panthers to secure Manning’s second Super Bowl victory in his final game.
Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints had a remarkable 2009 season, winning 13 straight games before dropping their last three to the Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Panthers. However, the Saints rebounded in the playoffs, dominating the Cardinals, edging Brett Favre’s Vikings, and defeating Manning’s Colts—who had won 14 straight that season—to capture their first Super Bowl title.
Only three teams have ever started an NFL season with 14 or more consecutive wins and failed to win the Super Bowl: the 2007 New England Patriots, the 2015 Carolina Panthers, and the 2009 Indianapolis Colts. As mentioned earlier, the Panthers and Colts fell to Peyton Manning’s Broncos and Drew Brees’ Saints, respectively. However, the most significant upset occurred in 2007, when Tom Brady’s Patriots—who were on the verge of an undefeated season—were stunned by Eli Manning’s New York Giants, thanks in part to David Tyree’s famous helmet catch.