Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has solidified his place as the premier quarterback of his generation. His exceptional physical abilities and rapidly growing list of accomplishments put him on track to potentially rival Tom Brady’s legacy in the NFL.

At just 28, Mahomes has already achieved numerous remarkable milestones. He’s third in all-time playoff wins, fifth in postseason passing touchdowns, and eighth in postseason passing yards. He also holds 3 Super Bowl titles and 3 Super Bowl MVP awards, joining Tom Brady and Joe Montana in this elite club).

In only six seasons, Mahomes has already established himself among the top 5-7 quarterbacks in NFL history. He’s not human.

As Chiefs training camp is now underway in the team’s quest for a three-peat, let’s take a look back at Mahomes’ playoff career. Let’s rank each of his 18 postseason games based on his performance. While not every game was a showstopper, each contributes to his impressive story—one that most Chiefs fans are surely enjoying.

Criteria for Ranking Mahomes Playoff Games

These rankings prioritize Mahomes’ individual performances over the team’s outcomes. Criteria include personal stats, opponent quality, memorable moments, stakes involved, and other game-specific factors, balancing individual achievement with overall context.

18. 2021 AFC Championship Game (27-24 loss versus Cincinnati)

It’s pretty clear which game would land at the bottom of this list. In the 2021 conference championship, the Chiefs started out strong enough by jumping to a 21-3 lead in the first half. However, things went south from there.

Mahomes and the offense lost their mojo, culminating in a botched final play before halftime. With 5 seconds left, no timeouts, and sitting on Cincinnati’s 1-yard line, they completed a pass to Hill, who got tackled in-bounds and the Chiefs failed to get points. That play set the tone for the remainder of the game.

The 2021 AFC Championship Game stands out as a rare blemish on Mahomes’ otherwise stellar postseason record. It’s the only playoff loss where he shouldered most of the blame. Sure, you could argue this setback fueled their back-to-back Super Bowl wins, but there’s no sugarcoating it; this game was a tough pill to swallow for the Chiefs, especially Mahomes.

17. Super Bowl LV (31-9 loss versus Tampa Bay)

Next up is a game that’s not much prettier than the last. Super Bowl LV stands out as perhaps the most embarrassing defeat of the Mahomes era. It was the biggest Super Bowl blowout in the last decade.

While many fans point fingers at the battered offensive line and his toe injury, which did need surgery days after the game (and they’re not wrong), Mahomes himself had an off night. Sure, his receivers dropped some crucial passes, but Mahomes also made questionable decisions, forced throws, and struggled under pressure (going 9 for 26 with an interception when pressured).

Let’s be real: this loss wasn’t entirely on Mahomes’ shoulders, but he didn’t exactly shine either. This was arguably the most painful loss in recent Chiefs memory. They had a chance to repeat and instead were blown out.

The good news? It’s mostly uphill from here.

16. 2020 AFC Divisional Round (22-17 win against Cleveland)

Another 2020 playoff game lands low on this list, but this one’s a bit of an outlier. It’s the only postseason game where Mahomes didn’t go the distance, thanks to a concussion in the third quarter. This game became the Chad Henne show, with his clutch plays in the final moments saving the day for KC.

This game sits at #16 mainly because Mahomes was on the field for less than 75% of the offensive snaps. Plus, let’s face it, the bar for Mahomes is set sky-high, so it’s tough to justify a higher ranking. While it’s a memorable game, it’s not exactly on Mahomes’ highlight reel.

15. 2018 AFC Divisional Round (31-13 win against Indianapolis)

It’s fitting that Mahomes’ first playoff win lands at #15 on the list. This game saw the Chiefs finally shake off their playoff jinx against the Colts, clinching a comfortable win on a snowy day at Arrowhead. But given Mahomes’ typically stellar performances, it’s tough to rank this one higher.

While the Chiefs had a great day overall, Mahomes’ performance was, by his lofty standards, just okay. He went 27 for 41 and racked up 278 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He missed on all 6 deep ball attempts, and there was a near-miss interception. Sure, it was a magical day for Chiefs fans, but as for Mahomes himself, he was solid but not spectacular.

14. 2023 AFC Wild Card Round (26-7 win against Miami)

Next up is a game from the back-to-back Super Bowl runs, and it’s one for the history books. This matchup set the record for the coldest game at Arrowhead Stadium (a bone-chilling -4°F, with wind chill at -27°F).

Mahomes’ stats weren’t jaw-dropping (23 of 41 for 262 yards and 1 TD), but he played it smart, throwing the ball away seven times. He also showed off his legs, with a crucial 28-yard rush on a 4th down in the 2nd quarter and a nifty 13-yard scramble in the 3rd.

Why is this game ranked here? Well, the Dolphins were arguably one of the weaker playoff opponents Mahomes has faced. Tua was at QB, their O-line was shaky, and their defense was held together with duct tape, having signed players off the street just days before.

Sure, Chiefs fans will always have a soft spot for this game—it was Tyreek Hill’s return to Arrowhead, after all—but Mahomes has a baker’s dozen postseason performances that outshine this one.

13. 2022 AFC Divisional Round (27-20 win against Jacksonville)

This game bears a striking resemblance to our #16 entry. Mahomes had to depart due to an ankle injury, cueing up the Chad Henne show for a bit. Luckily, Mahomes made a comeback in the second half.

While Chiefs fans will always remember Mahomes’ gutsy return on one good leg, his performance was pretty low-key by his standards. He wrapped up the game 22 of 30 for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. You can’t blame K.C. for playing it safe, but injury aside, this was probably Mahomes at his most conservative in the postseason. He didn’t attempt a single deep pass, and it’s one of only two games where he threw for under 200 yards.

This game lands here mainly because of the nostalgia factor of Mahomes toughing it out. Strip away that context, and it’s one of his less impressive playoff wins. Of course, for Mahomes, that’s still saying a lot.

12. Super Bowl LIV (31-20 win against San Francisco)

We’ve hit our first Super Bowl win, the one that kickstarted Patrick Mahomes’ championship legacy. Super Bowl LIV. While this game holds a special place in every Chiefs fan’s heart, breaking that 50-year Super Bowl drought, it’s not exactly Mahomes’ most elite showing.

Mahomes struggled for most of the night if we’re making an honest assessment. His final stats? 26 of 42 for 286 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Throw in two fumbles and some shaky accuracy in the first three quarters, and you’ve got a recipe for a tough night. If the Chiefs hadn’t pulled off the win, this game would probably be near the bottom of the list. Mahomes didn’t really hit his stride until the fourth quarter.

Don’t get me wrong: Mahomes cemented his legend status with this game, especially with his late-game heroics. But if we’re being objective, this wasn’t one of his better overall performances. It’s a testament to his greatness that even on an off night, he still managed to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.

11. 2018 AFC Championship Game (37-31 loss versus New England)

This game was widely considered the game of the year in 2018. The Chiefs had a shot at their first Super Bowl appearance in 49 years, but ultimately fell to Brady and the Patriots in overtime. Despite the heartbreak, this game proved Mahomes belonged in the NFL’s quarterback elite. He dug the Chiefs out of a 14-0 second-half hole, led two clutch touchdown drives in the 4th quarter, and engineered a game-tying field goal drive with under a minute left. The defense just couldn’t seal the deal.

For many Chiefs fans, this game was special. It was the team’s first “big game” in 25 years and a real chance at a Super Bowl berth after years of divisional round disappointments. Mahomes was the driving force behind this opportunity.

Let’s talk about Mahomes’ performance. The first half? Arguably his worst of the season. The Chiefs were shut out, managed only 32 offensive yards on 16 plays, Mahomes was sacked three times, and he nearly lost a fumble just before halftime. He looked lost. But man, did he turn it around in the second half, finishing with 295 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Even though the Chiefs lost, this game proved they had more than just a quarterback of the future – they had a perennial Super Bowl contender. The ugly first half keeps this game from ranking higher, but it definitely adds to the Mahomes legend.

10. Super Bowl LVIII (25-22 win against San Francisco)

Now we’re talking about Mahomes’ and the Chiefs’ most recent playoff and Super Bowl triumph. Some might argue this ranking is a bit low, but given Mahomes’ stellar career, this is where it fits.

Mahomes put up some impressive numbers: 333 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 66 rushing yards (his second-best postseason rushing performance), and 1 interception. The game-winning touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman didn’t just win the Super Bowl; it cemented Mahomes’ status as an all-time great, not just a future Hall of Famer.

The final drive was pure Mahomes Magic. He used his arm and legs to seal the Chiefs’ repeat, including a clutch 8-yard run on 4th and 1 and a 19-yard scramble to get into the red zone. Three plays later, the Chiefs were Super Bowl champs again.

Sure, the third-quarter interception and a slow first half (only three points) knock this game down a few pegs. But Mahomes was the deserving Super Bowl MVP, the third of his career. He faced an elite defense with a limited receiving corps and a depleted o-line missing its best blocker, and still came out on top. That’s the Mahomes difference.