As the Kansas City Chiefs march into the 2025 NFL playoffs, they do so with an air of familiarity around them. For the third consecutive year, the Chiefs find themselves in the postseason mix, but this time, with an eye on history. If they can take care of business in the coming weeks, the Chiefs have a chance to make history themselves: becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls in the modern era. While they are no strangers to high expectations and elite competition, the Chiefs will face some familiar faces on their playoff journey—a rematch of old rivals, former champions, and some budding new challengers who are all too eager to prevent Kansas City from claiming the crown once again.
The Chiefs’ path to a potential three-peat runs through the best teams in the AFC, many of whom they’ve faced before on their way to the top. From last year’s playoff battles to regular-season showdowns, the Chiefs have earned a reputation as a team that thrives in the biggest moments. But as they gear up for another postseason run, it is clear that the road to the top won’t be an easy one, and several teams stand ready to push them to their limits.
### A Look Back: The Chiefs’ Last Two Super Bowl Runs
The 2023 and 2024 NFL seasons were nothing short of remarkable for Kansas City, and in both campaigns, the Chiefs navigated through formidable playoff opponents to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
In 2023, the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, 31-28, in a thrilling game that showcased their resilience and star power. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is now widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the position, led the charge with a second-half surge, overcoming a 10-point deficit to secure the win. The Chiefs’ ability to adapt and execute under pressure, coupled with clutch performances from wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce, made them the undisputed champions of the NFL.
In 2024, the Chiefs once again proved their dominance, edging out the NFC’s top contender, the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-24, in another dramatic Super Bowl. Mahomes’ calm demeanor and ability to perform in clutch moments remained a trademark of the Chiefs’ dynasty. The defense, which had been inconsistent in years past, also stepped up when it mattered most, shutting down Philadelphia’s high-powered offense in the second half.
Now, as the Chiefs look ahead to 2025, they find themselves in a familiar position: as the hunted. With two consecutive Super Bowl wins in the books, Kansas City’s target on their backs is larger than ever before. The quest for a third championship in a row is on, but the challenge will be monumental.
### The Familiar Faces Awaiting the Chiefs
As Kansas City enters the playoffs in 2025, they know that several teams will be vying for the chance to unseat them as the champions of the NFL. But these aren’t unfamiliar foes—the Chiefs have faced many of their potential playoff rivals multiple times in recent seasons, creating a narrative of repetition and rivalry that could play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of this postseason.
#### 1. **Buffalo Bills: A Growing Rivalry**
Few teams have been as consistent in pushing the Chiefs to their limits as the Buffalo Bills. Over the past few years, Buffalo has emerged as a legitimate contender in the AFC, led by quarterback Josh Allen, who is often compared to Mahomes due to his dual-threat ability and arm strength. In both the 2022 and 2023 playoffs, the Bills and Chiefs squared off in high-stakes, high-scoring affairs that saw Kansas City come out on top each time.
However, Buffalo has only gotten better since those matchups, and with Allen at the helm, the Bills remain a formidable opponent. While the Chiefs have found ways to outlast Buffalo in recent years, the tables could turn if the Bills finally get over the hump. In 2025, with both teams loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, a rematch between the two powerhouses could provide yet another chapter in what has already become one of the NFL’s most exciting rivalries.
#### 2. **Cincinnati Bengals: A Rival in the Making**
If there’s one team in the AFC that seems to be the Chiefs’ biggest challenger year in and year out, it’s the Cincinnati Bengals. Led by young quarterback Joe Burrow, who is quickly becoming one of the best in the league, the Bengals have become a perennial playoff team with a knack for upsetting the status quo. In 2021, the Bengals knocked the Chiefs out of the AFC Championship Game in a dramatic overtime victory, and in 2024, they pushed Kansas City to the brink once again, only for Mahomes to lead his team to another last-minute victory.
Cincinnati’s defense has improved, and their offense, with weapons like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, remains one of the most potent in the league. This rivalry, fueled by high-level quarterback play and hard-hitting defenses, could easily dominate the AFC playoff picture for years to come. The Chiefs know Cincinnati well, and while they’ve had the upper hand in recent postseason matchups, Burrow and company will be out for revenge, making a potential playoff showdown all the more tantalizing.
#### 3. **Baltimore Ravens: The Underdog Rising**
Although the Ravens haven’t been able to consistently match the Chiefs’ playoff pedigree in recent years, they remain a team to watch, especially with Lamar Jackson leading the charge. The dynamic dual-threat quarterback is a perennial MVP candidate and has consistently made his presence felt in the postseason. Baltimore’s defense has always been one of the best in the league, and with head coach John Harbaugh at the helm, the Ravens are a well-coached, disciplined team capable of making a deep playoff run.
A rematch with the Chiefs in the playoffs would provide an intriguing contrast of styles—Kansas City’s explosive offense versus Baltimore’s methodical, tough defense. Though the Ravens have not been able to get past the Chiefs in previous meetings, they have shown enough promise this season to be taken seriously as a potential contender.
### History Poised to Repeat Itself
The narrative of the Chiefs’ dynasty is undoubtedly one of repetition: the Chiefs have repeatedly emerged from the most challenging games to claim victory. As they prepare for their playoff journey, this theme is poised to continue, as the same teams that have tested them in the past will test them again. In fact, the possibility of history repeating itself seems almost inevitable. The road to a third consecutive Super Bowl title will be full of challenges, but with the core of Mahomes, Kelce, and head coach Andy Reid leading the way, the Chiefs are well-equipped to handle whatever comes their way.
The key to a three-peat will be maintaining their mental toughness, adapting to the strategies of their opponents, and continuing to deliver in the biggest moments. If the Chiefs can once again navigate their way through the likes of Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Baltimore, there’s a strong chance that we’ll see them hoist yet another Lombardi Trophy, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history.
As the playoffs approach, one thing is certain: The Chiefs are ready for the challenge, and with familiar faces across the field, the road to a three-peat will be filled with thrilling, high-stakes matchups that could define the NFL for years to come. History is poised to repeat itself—and this time, the Chiefs will be the ones writing it.
