How this Super Bowl run is different for the Kansas City Chiefs

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna (51) in the first quarter of the AFC championship NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs led 13-6 at halftime.Cincinnati Bengals At Kansas City Chiefs Afc Championship Jan 29 158 /

The Chiefs fought through a much tougher AFC

One of the more frustrating facts of life is that during Tom Brady’s reign as AFC king, there were only a couple of other quarterbacks that ever really challenged him: namely, Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. Occasionally a spunky quarterback like Joe Flacco might cause an upset, but for the most part, it was pretty slim pickings.

Now? The AFC is loaded with quarterback play. Which makes getting to the Big Game difficult enough on its own. The AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals felt like the real Super Bowl in terms of toughness. That’s not to take away from the Philadelphia Eagles, but the NFC just doesn’t seem as challenging as the AFC.

That’s why the Super Bowl doesn’t quite feel as ‘major’ as the AFC Championship did. The American Football Conference bracket was brutal and taxing. The NFC? Well, their champs game through by eating a toothless New York Giants and a quarterback-less San Francisco 49ers team. They just aren’t the same.

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