The Kansas City Chiefs have built one of the most successful playoff legacies in the NFL. With a history full of big wins, key moments, and standout performances, the Chiefs have definitely earned their place among the league’s best. By 2025, the team has made 27 playoff appearances (4 in the AFL, 23 in the NFL), won 4 Super Bowls (1970, 2020, 2023, 2024), and appeared in 6 Super Bowls, joining some of the most successful teams in NFL history.
How Many Playoff Appearances Have The Kansas City Chiefs Made?
From 2015 to 2024, the Chiefs became a regular fixture in the playoffs, making it 10 years in a row. A lot of this success can be credited to head coach Andy Reid, who has been with the team since 2013. Under Reid, the Chiefs made 8 playoff appearances and reached the AFC Championship Game four times in a row (2018–2022), winning it in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
In 2023, they continued their playoff success, beating the Dolphins 26-7 in the Wild Card Round, followed by a 27-24 win over the Buffalo Bills. They then won the AFC Championship 17-10 against the Baltimore Ravens to advance to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are famous among fans for their ability to win close games, especially when the pressure is on.
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How Many Super Bowls Have The Kansas City Chiefs Won?
The Chiefs’ Super Bowl record is nothing short of extraordinary. Their first title came in 1969 when they beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in Super Bowl IV. Quarterback Len Dawson, who threw for 142 yards and a touchdown, was named MVP. This win wasn’t just a huge moment for the Chiefs but for the AFL, marking the first time an AFL team won the Super Bowl.
In the modern era, the Chiefs kept their Super Bowl streak going. In 2019, they came from behind to beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20, with Patrick Mahomes throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns and winning Super Bowl MVP. Then, in 2022, they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a thrilling Super Bowl LVII. In the 2023 season, they defeated the 49ers in a nail-biting thriller 25-22 in overtime, all thanks to Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal, bringing their Super Bowl total to four.
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Andy Reid And Patrick Mahomes Have Been Key To The Chiefs Success
Andy Reid has been a huge part of the Chiefs’ playoff success. With 12 playoff wins as head coach, he’s helped guide the team through countless postseason battles, thanks to his unique offensive style and smart game decisions.
Of course, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has also been crucial to the team’s playoff success. As of January 2025, Mahomes has a 14-3 playoff record with over 3,900 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. He’s earned two Super Bowl MVP awards (2019 and 2023) and was the first player to win both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same year (2019). Mahomes’ ability to perform under pressure and lead the team to victory has made him one of the best playoff quarterbacks in history.
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Milestones And Memorable Moments
The Chiefs’ first playoff appearance came after winning the 1966 AFL Championship, and their journey to Super Bowl I began there. However, the team did hit a rough patch from 1971 to 1986, missing the playoffs for 15 straight years.
In more recent years, the Chiefs have had some incredible comebacks, like their 51-31 win over the Houston Texans in the 2019 Divisional Round after trailing 24-0. Big individual performances also stand out, such as Mahomes’ 404-yard passing game in Super Bowl LV and Priest Holmes’ 176 rushing yards in a playoff game. On defense, Derrick Thomas recorded 3 sacks in a playoff game, and Travis Kelce holds franchise records for playoff receptions (133) and receiving yards (1,516).
Playoff Rivalries And Head-to-Head Records
The Chiefs have had their fair share of intense playoff rivalries over the years, including with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs lead their playoff series against the Bills 4-2, including thrilling AFC Championship matchups in 2021 and 2022. They have an undefeated playoff record against the 49ers, with wins in Super Bowl IV and Super Bowl LIV.
As for the Bengals, the Chiefs and Bengals have had some tight postseason matchups, with Cincinnati leading the playoff series 2-1 after their dramatic AFC Championship win in 2022. All in all, these rivalries show just how competitive the Chiefs are, consistently competing for playoff success with some of the top teams in the NFL.
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