During the postgame ceremony at Allegiant Stadium, Patrick Mahomes, still in full uniform, confidently asserted on live television that the Kansas City Chiefs are never underdogs. This statement, delivered with sincerity rather than arrogance, aligns with the undeniable truth that the Chiefs, despite occasionally being labeled as underdogs in betting scenarios, consistently emerge victorious. The most remarkable facet of their recent Super Bowl victory lies in overcoming underdog status against formidable teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers.
Mahomes’ declaration reflects the essence of a dynasty, where picking against the Chiefs becomes a risky proposition, supported by compelling statistics. In postseason games as underdogs, the Chiefs boast a perfect 4-0 record. When Mahomes is at the helm, they are an impressive 11-1-1 against the betting spread in underdog situations and hold a 10-3 straight-up record.
The rarity of the Chiefs being labeled underdogs contributes to their remarkable success, often facing minimal point spreads due to the collective understanding that they defy the odds. Examining historical data reveals that their highest point spread as underdogs with Mahomes starting was 4.5 points, occurring in his rookie year against the 2018 Pittsburgh Steelers. Notably, the Chiefs have been labeled as underdogs only five times between 2019 and 2023.
In essence, Mahomes’ proclamation serves as a factual observation rather than a mere opinion, emphasizing that the Chiefs are consistently formidable, even when sporadically designated as underdogs by sportsbooks. Over time, the collective understanding has evolved to acknowledge that the Chiefs are a force to be reckoned with, making the notion of them being significant underdogs a rare occurrence.
