The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to high-pressure situations, but they’re about to face a bigger challenge than the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. They’re fighting against a bizarre and almost supernatural NFL trend: the 17-year curse of the final unbeaten team. Since 2007, no team that was the last to lose a game during the regular season has gone on to win the Super Bowl. Could Kansas City finally end this streak?
Here’s everything to know about the curse, the Chiefs’ position, and why history might be against them, even as they prepare for their biggest game of the year.
The Curse in Numbers: A Look Back at the Final Undefeated Teams
Over the past 17 seasons, the final unbeaten team has repeatedly fallen short of claiming the Lombardi Trophy. This unlikely streak started with the 2007 New England Patriots. The Patriots dominated that season, going 16-0 in the regular season and cruising to two playoff wins before falling in one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. The underdog New York Giants stunned them 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII, despite New England being a 12.5-point favorite.
Since then, other final unbeaten teams have shared similar fates. Teams like the 2009 Colts and 2018 Rams made it to the Super Bowl but fell short. Others, such as the 2011 Packers, 2013 Chiefs, and 2021 Cardinals, didn’t even make it past the divisional round. Across 17 seasons, the final unbeaten team has reached the Super Bowl 12 times but won just once — the 2006 Colts led by Peyton Manning.
17 years ago today, the Patriots took a 21-3 lead in the AFC Championship
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) January 21, 2024
Peyton Manning and the Colts came all the way back to seal the victory 😤pic.twitter.com/7vcwexqyrb
The Colts are the outlier. They started 9-0 that year, lost their first game in Week 10, and went on to win Super Bowl XLI, defeating the Chicago Bears 29-17. But that success hasn’t been replicated since, creating an increasingly infamous NFL storyline.
AFC Championship Game: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
The Chiefs started their 2024 season with a perfect 9-0 record, becoming the NFL’s last unbeaten team. That streak ended in Week 11 when the Buffalo Bills handed them a 30-21 loss. Now, these two powerhouses are meeting again, this time with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.
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Kansas City’s dominance this season, coupled with Patrick Mahomes’ MVP-caliber performance, puts them in a strong position. However, the weight of history looms large. The Chiefs’ previous encounters with this curse haven’t ended well.
In 2003, they started 9-0 but lost in the divisional round to Peyton Manning’s Colts. Similarly, in 2013, Andy Reid’s first season as Kansas City’s head coach, the team went 9-0 only to collapse late in the season and lose a wild-card game to the Colts after blowing a 38-10 lead. Sunday’s game isn’t just about advancing to the Super Bowl; it’s about rewriting history.
Also Read: Social Media Leaked A Photo Of The New Kansas City Chiefs Helmet For 2025
Close Calls: Teams That Almost Broke the Curse
Several teams have come close to breaking the curse in recent years but faltered at the finish line. The most notable examples include:
- 2009 Colts: After starting 14-0, Peyton Manning’s squad reached the Super Bowl but lost 31-17 to the Saints.
- 2015 Panthers: The 15-1 Panthers dominated the regular season but lost 24-10 to the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
- 2022 Eagles: Last year, the Eagles went 8-0 to start the season and reached the Super Bowl, only to lose 38-35 to the Chiefs after a late field goal sealed the game.
- 2023 49ers: San Francisco was on the brink of victory in Super Bowl LVIII, leading the Chiefs 19-16 with 10 seconds left. But a late field goal sent the game to overtime, where the Chiefs prevailed 25-22.
Each of these teams’ failures has only amplified the curse’s mystique.
The Chiefs’ Unique Opportunity
The Chiefs have already proven themselves as a dynasty in the making, with two Super Bowl wins since 2019 and five consecutive AFC Championship appearances. But ending the curse would add another layer to their legacy.
Chiefs trying to end this shocking 17-year drought by NFL teams that started with undefeated Patriots in 2007
— TREANDING NEWS (@TREANEWS) January 25, 2025
The NFL's final undefeated team hasn't won the Super Bowl in nearly 20 years #NFL pic.twitter.com/hPPziXSH7P
Kansas City’s resilience has been tested repeatedly. They’ve beaten some of the league’s best teams, including the Bengals and Dolphins, to reach this point. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and a stellar defense have made them the team to beat. However, their previous loss to Buffalo this season serves as a reminder that nothing is guaranteed.
Can the Kansas City Chiefs Beat the Odds?
To understand why breaking the curse is so difficult, consider the teams that failed before. The 2007 Patriots were practically invincible, the 2011 Packers boasted a historic offense, and the 2018 Rams had an innovative play-calling edge. Yet, they all crumbled under the weight of expectations.
Kansas City’s greatest advantage is their experience. Unlike some of the teams that fell victim to the curse, the Chiefs have been here before. Head coach Andy Reid, who’s featured multiple times on the list of cursed teams, has finally found postseason success in recent years. His strategic brilliance, combined with Mahomes’ ability to perform in clutch moments, could make the difference.
