Where Does the Chiefs' AFC Championship Loss Rank Amongst the Worst Playoff Losses Ever?

The Kansas City Chiefs lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Cincinnati Bengals after blowing a 21-3 lead. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense struggled mightily in the second half of the game. Where does this loss rank amongst the worst losses in NFL playoff history?

Nothing will compare to the Jaguars and the Dolphins in 2000

There’s several ways to define “worst.” You could look at this topic as biggest blowouts, most heartbreaking last-second losses, or a variety of other ways that teams have lost in the playoffs. In the AFC Divisional Round in 2000, the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Miami Dolphins 62-7. Dan Marino was held to 95 passing yards, one touchdown, and two picks. 

Jaguars running back Fred Taylor ran for 135 yards and one score. Things got so lopsided that the Jaguars used two quarterbacks, but it didn’t matter — both Jay Fielder and Mark Brunell tossed two touchdowns each. It was Dan Marino’s final game. I’d probably retire after that beating as well.

Buffalo Bills destroyed the Oakland Raiders in the 2021 AFC Championship Game

In 1991, the Bills were humming. The Bills defense was on another planet, picking off Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder five times and not allowing a single touchdown. It was an outmatched beatdown that saw Jim Kelly toss two touchdowns and 300 yards. It was the start of what looked like a dynasty, with the Bills making it to the Super Bowl for what would be one of four straight appearances.

Unfortunately, the Bills lost that Super Bowl on the infamous “wide right” kick. In their four straight Super Bowl appearances, they weren’t able to win a Championship.

28-3

Rarely are games known solely by their score, but the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 will always be remembered for the comeback that Tom Brady engineered. After falling to a 28-3 deficit in the third quarter, Brady led the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. 

It was a stunning collapse. The Falcons all but abandoned their running game in the second half, and the clock management decisions were heavily scrutinized. The game went to overtime, with running back James White getting the Super Bowl-winning touchdown. 

Chiefs vs. Bengals

I’m going to put this one up here. It wasn’t the most lopsided victory in NFL playoffs history, but in similar fashion to the 28-3 Super Bowl meltdown, the Chiefs stormed out to a massive lead and blew it. They scored three touchdowns on their first three drives, and the game looked like the Chiefs would cruise easily to a victory. They had a chance to add to their lead before halftime, but Tyreek Hill was stopped short of the goal line as the clock expired. 

The rest of the game was a nightmare. Between the fourth quarter and overtime, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense generated only 83 yards of total offense and three points in seven drives. Mahomes reverted back to some horrible tendencies, trying to do much while scrambling around with no intentionality. It looked similar to last year’s Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers. 

With under two minutes remaining in the game, the Chiefs had first and goal on the Bengals five yard line. They ended up going backwards, with Mahomes taking a massive sack, fumbling, it being recovered by an offensive lineman, and settling for a 44-yard field goal. They went to overtime, Mahomes threw an interception, and now the Bengals are going to Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years. It might not be the biggest blowout in NFL Playoffs history, but it was one of the most stunning losses.

You can find all of Jon Helmkamp’s picks here.