This is a classic example of old school against new school in the AFC.
Of course, we have the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game. In a mind-blowing fact, this is the Patriots’ eight straight appearance in the conference championship game. On the other hand, are the new kids on the scene, the Kansas City Chiefs. While the Patriots celebrate their annual trip to the NFL’s final four party, the Chiefs are basking in their first home playoff victory in 26 years, when Joe Montana, the guy Brady grew up idolizing in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Now, the stage is set for the Patriots and the Chiefs to play at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday for the right to go to the Super Bowl.
The Patriots are looking to back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 12 months and are looking to win it for the first time in 24 months. The Chiefs? Well, they’re looking for a repeat of their only Super Bowl appearance 49 years ago – a victory.
While the Super Bowl talk is all so stale for the Patriots and such a new experience for the Chiefs, there is a chance we are seeing the beginning of a shift change in the AFC hierarchy.
The Patriots’ reign has to end at some point right? And the Chiefs look primed to be here in this position for the long haul.
The primary reason why he future is looking so good for Kansas City? Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. They are primed to be the next Brady-Rob Gronkowski combination.
The faces of the Patriots’ great dominance this decade has been the Brady-Gronkowski combination. Brady is the most accomplished player in the history of the NFL. Gronkowski is considered the most talented tight end ever to play by many NFL observers. However, the end is probably near for both. Brady is 41. Gronkowski will turn 30 in May. Retirement rumors have been swirling around him as injuries have continued to haunt him. Gronkowski has looked affected by injuries this season. He just doesn’t seem like the player he once was. He had 47 catches this season. Gronkowski will enter 2019 as the final season of a six-year, $54 million deal. It wouldn’t be a shock is it his final contract.
Mahomes and Kelce are just getting rolling. Mahomes is 23 and in his first season as an NFL starter.
Kelce is already 29. But he has been healthy and he is in his prime. Mahomes should keep Kelce young. His career hit a second gear in 2018 with Mahomes. Kelce had 103 catches for 1,306 yards and 10 touchdowns. He made first-team All-Pro.
Mahomes and Kelce will make a lot of money together as they chase Lombardis. It is not out of the question that Mahomes could become the first $200 million player in the NFL in a couple of seasons. Kelce, a third-round pick in 2013, signed a six-year, $48 million deal in 2016. He has three years remaining. It is not out of the question that he earns another big-dollar contract as Mahomes hits his prime.
Sunday’s game may represent a changing of the guard in both terms of the power team and the power passing-game tandem in the AFC.
