Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the main rival of Patrick Mahomes.
So says fans on the internet and media alike in the wake of this year’s AFC title game.
Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are off to the Super Bowl after he got past both Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and then Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens in the conference title game.
While the conversation of Mahomes’ “true” rival might strike some football fans as silly, the fact Burrow is the only active quarterback to beat Mahomes in the playoffs and one of two to actually do it (the other is Tom Brady) is pretty wild.
Here’s a look at some of the discourse featuring Burrow and Mahomes after the AFC title game.
“It’s only Joe Burrow. He’s the ONLY ONE that can slow his heart rate down and compete against Patrick Mahomes.” – @Realrclark25 #Bengals pic.twitter.com/CYw3TY9DWP
— Faux Joey Brrr (@FauxJeaux) January 29, 2024
The only active QB to beat Mahomes in a playoff game is Joe Burrow. Think about that.
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) January 29, 2024
Only two QBs beat Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs.
Tom Brady
Joe Burrow pic.twitter.com/rB7azQOkU0— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) January 28, 2024
This isn't a dig at any QBs, but it just blows my mind that the only active QB in the NFL to defeat Mahomes in the playoffs is Joe Burrow.
That is insane to me. Mahomes is that good in January/February.
He is the final boss at the end of every level.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) January 29, 2024
Tom Brady is the MJ of NFL
Mahomes the LeBron of NFL (both cry @ refs for calls, but still goats)
Burrow is the Kobe of the league (both cold killers)
Kobe won his first championship in his 5th season… Burrow could do something similar 👀
— DB (@bengalsdrake) January 27, 2024
I mean that's not even controversial, that's based on fact. Lots of people with short term memory loss just writing Joe off…
They want Josh Allen to be the guy but he clearly isn't the guy…
— LeeOnBlack (@LeeOnBlack) January 29, 2024
Or the only QB that can beat Mahomes in the playoffs…Joe Burrow. https://t.co/jnhYejZBT2
— DarthNoobSaibot (@DarthNoobSaibot) January 28, 2024
Don’t ever compare 9️⃣ to Lamar again.
The Chiefs are the class of the NFL, no denying that, and there is only one QB that can go toe to toe with Mahomes when the team needs it the most.
And that’s, Joe Burrow. 🐅 pic.twitter.com/z00rrickgp
— Braxton Wheeler (@Braxxx26) January 28, 2024
Joe Burrow the only QB in the league who can stop Mahomes in Playoffs
clears them allpic.twitter.com/bdj1uSvSBT— JediAxora 🏈 (@DrStran33) January 28, 2024
Don’t you ever put Lamar in the same sentence with Joe Burrow.!!! You can’t beat Mahomes, you’re not on his level. pic.twitter.com/Yd60BEd3tk
— Gwill (@gwilly1158) January 28, 2024
Joe Burrow the only hope to knock Mahomes off for the foreseeable future
— Big Fin ✋🏾 (@Lil_Phat_Mac) January 28, 2024
The Bengals are still the toughest matchup for KC… only a Brady led team or a Burrow led team have beaten Mahomes in playoffs, and Brady is gone.
— David Meredith (@DMeredith28) January 28, 2024
It’s Mahomes then burrow then you can debate the rest
— theygottaplayus (@Alex_Cincy91) January 28, 2024
I’m here to remind you there’s only 2 guys to push Mahomes to the brink.
Joe Burrow & Brady twice 👍🏻 https://t.co/RlH2Y62Uvv
— EA (@KOLD740) January 28, 2024
Joe burrow & CJ stroud really the only two QBs in the afc that can go toe to toe with Patrick Mahomes lmao
— Eli 🦅 (@EliATK_) January 28, 2024
Pat Mahomes… Small gap.. Joe Burrow… LARGE GAP.. Everyone else https://t.co/BYsXGd2Pi4
— Kyle (@Kyle___H) January 28, 2024
