Ranking Chiefs Super Bowl Teams
Few teams in NFL history have dominated an era quite like the Kansas City Chiefs under Patrick Mahomes. Since 2018, Mahomes has transformed the Chiefs into a perennial powerhouse, and in that time, they’ve made four Super Bowl appearanceswinning three of them. Each championship squad had its own identity, strengths, and defining moments that solidified its place in NFL history. But not all Super Bowl-winning (or contending) teams are created equal. Some had more firepower, others relied on defensive grit, and a few had to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. So, where do they all rank? Let’s break it down.
#4 – 2020 Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 14-2
Super Bowl Result: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-9
Defining Trait: A broken offensive line that met a relentless Buccaneers pass rush. In terms of regular-season dominance, the 2020 Chiefs looked like a juggernaut. Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill were practically unstoppable, cruising to a 14-2 record. But as the Super Bowl approached, cracks began to form. Injuries to key offensive linemen Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz left Mahomes running for his life against the Buccaneers’ overwhelming pass rush. The result? One of the ugliest Super Bowl performances in franchise history. Mahomes still made some incredible throws (including the now-iconic parallel-to-the-ground pass that should’ve been a touchdown), but without protection, the offense never stood a chance. This team had all the talent in the world but simply wasn’t built to withstand the kind of pressure Tampa Bay applied. Unlike some of the other Chiefs’ squads on this list, they just didn’t have the championship resilience to overcome such a glaring weakness.
#3 – 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 12-4
Super Bowl Result: Defeated San Francisco 49ers, 31-20
Defining Trait: The comeback kids. The 2019 Chiefs will always have a special place in franchise history. This was Mahomes’ first Super Bowl squad, and they solidified themselves as one of the most exciting and clutch teams ever. Almost every playoff game featured a dramatic, come-from-behind victory. They trailed 24-0 against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round before unleashing a 51-7 avalanche to win. They fell behind the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship but rallied again. And of course, the Super Bowl itself saw them down 20-10 with just over seven minutes left. Then, Mahomes Magic happened. In one of the greatest closing sequences ever, the Chiefs scored 21 unanswered points behind clutch throws to Kelce and Sammy Watkins, securing Kansas City’s first Lombardi Trophy in five decades. What keeps them from ranking higher? They weren’t as dominant throughout the season as some of their successors. This was the beginning of the dynasty, but they weren’t at full power just yet.
#2 – 2022 Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 14-3
Super Bowl Result: Defeated Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35
Defining Trait: The post-Tyreek era proved Mahomes as an all-time great. After trading away Tyreek Hill in the offseason, many doubted whether the Chiefs could sustain their dominance. Yet, this team proved that Mahomes didn’t need an elite deep-threat receiver to be successfulhe was the elite deep-threat creator all along. Despite losing one of the NFL’s most dangerous weapons, Kansas City’s offense hummed, thanks in large part to Mahomes’ brilliance and Andy Reid’s masterful play-calling. Kelce took on an even bigger role, while JuJu Smith-Schuster and a collection of role players helped fill the void. But what truly set this team apart was the Super Bowl itself. Matched up against an Eagles team with arguably the best roster in football, the Chiefs still found a way to win despite Mahomes re-injuring his ankle just before halftime. The second-half performance was a masterpiece, highlighted by flawless play calling, a perfectly executed game-winning drive, and of course, the now-infamous holding penalty that sealed the deal. This was a team that faced adversity, retooled on the fly, and still walked away as champions.
#1 – 2023 Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 11-6
Super Bowl Result: Defeated San Francisco 49ers, 25-22 (OT)
Defining Trait: A battle-tested squad that silenced the doubters. At points during the 2023 season, it looked like the dynasty was finally crumbling. The Chiefs’ receiving corps struggled mightily, with drops becoming a recurring nightmare. After years of torching defenses, Kansas City suddenly lacked its usual firepower and ended up logging an uncharacteristic 11-6 record. Yet, when the playoffs arrived, this team did what great champions doit found a way to win. Behind a vastly improved defense and Mahomes operating in “Terminator Mode,” the Chiefs grinded their way through tough playoff battles. They took down the high-flying Miami Dolphins, knocked off the No. 1-seeded Baltimore Ravens on the road, and delivered another heartbreaking loss to the Buffalo Bills. Then came an epic Super Bowl rematch against the 49ers. This game had everythingelite defensive plays, clutch throws, and a dramatic overtime finish. Mahomes’ late-game heroics once again stole the show, as he orchestrated the game-winning drive to secure his third title. Why does this team take the top spot? Unlike past iterations, the 2023 Chiefs weren’t just about overwhelming offensive firepower. They won with grit, defense, and the ability to execute in high-pressure moments. They weren’t the flashiest Super Bowl team of the Mahomes era, but they were undoubtedly the most battle-tested.
Final Thoughts
Ranking these teams isn’t just about stats or final scoresit’s about the journey. Each of these Super Bowl squads left its mark on Chiefs history in a unique way. Mahomes’ first title in 2019 proved Kansas City could reach the mountaintop. The 2022 championship showed that they could reinvent themselves. And the 2023 title? That cemented the dynasty. The story of the Patrick Mahomes era is still being written, but if history is any indication, this ranking might need an update sooner rather than later. Which Chiefs Super Bowl team do you think was the best? Let the debate begin!
