Kansas City Chiefs: Can They See History for a Three-Peat?

Here’s a look at what sunk these teams, and at whether the Chiefs are capable of avoiding the same fate in pursuit of history.

Green Bay Packers Super Bowls I & II (1966-68)

The Packers famously won the first two Super Bowls under the leadership of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi. However, the 1968 season was Green Bay's first without the legendary sideline boss, who had retired to the front office after Super Bowl II, and it really showed.

The team had its first losing season in a decade with a record of (6-7-1), finish third in the then Central division. They missed the playoffs entirely, prematurely ending the league's first run at a three-peat.

Miami Dolphins Super Bowls VII & VIII (1972-74)

Head coach Don Shula led the Dolphins to the NFL's only undefeated season in 1972, following it up with another Super Bowl victory in 1973. However, after going 11-3 and topping the AFC East in the 1974 season, their dream of becoming the league's first back-to-back-to-back champion was shattered.

The Oakland Raiders won a nail-biter 28-26 in the Divisional round of the playoffs in a game known as the “Sea of Hands”. Oakland running back Clarence Davis made an improbable touchdown catch amid a “sea of hands “in the game’s waning seconds to seal the win for the Raiders.

Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowls IX & X (1974-76)

Chuck Noll’s dreaded “Steel Curtain”, looked practically unbeatable during this three-year period. A string of injuries to key players: Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, who were 1,000-yard rushers, dealt a blow to the Steelers early dynasty aspirations.

While Oakland was clearly an elite team in its own right, these injuries proved key as the Steelers were severely thrashed in the 1976 AFC Championship game, ending another attempt at the NFL's first three-peat again.

Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowls XIII & XIV (1978-80)

The “Steel Curtain” wasn't damaged for long, with back-to-back titles at the end of the decade, giving them a chance at avenging their 1976 stumble. However, an aging squad couldn’t get it done in the 1980 season. The defense was incapable of recapturing its previous glory and the offense was a turnover machine.

Pittsburgh went 9-7 and missed the playoffs, and many legends from its dynastic run retired after the season. 

San Francisco 49ers Super Bowls XXIII & XXIV (1988-90)

It took a whole decade before another challenger approached the seemingly impossible task. Led by quarterback sensation Joe Montana, San Francisco dominated the NFL for three seasons until the 1990 NFC Championship game. 

An untimely injury to “Joe Cool”, saw the New York Giants win the defensive battle, with quarterback replacement Steve Young and the 49ers losing via a last-second field goal. The Giants had forced a turnover on San Francisco’s final offensive drive on the previous play.

Dallas Cowboys Super Bowls XXVII & XVIII (1992-94)

Jerry Jones and Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson clash couldn’t have come at a worst time. The Cowboys were on the winning end of a dynastic war with the Buffalo Bills, who infamously lost four straight Super Bowls from 1990-94. However, following the clash, Johnson resigned before the season began with Barry Switzer taking the reins. 

Ironically, the San Francisco 49ers and Young ended the Cowboy’s three-peat bid after defeating them in the NFC Championship game, completing an emphatic return to the winner’s circle at Super Bowl XIX. 

Denver Broncos Super Bowls XXXII & XXXIII (1997-1999)

Hall of Fame quarterback, John Elway, led the Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl titles before ridding off into the sunset. His replacement for the 1999 season, Brian Griese failed to live up to the expectations, with Broncos finishing with a 6-10 record, thereby missing the playoffs and an opportunity at the long-elusive three-peat.

New England Patriots - Super Bowls XXXVIII & XXXIX (2003-2005)

Legendary duo, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick took the New England Patriots to back-to-back titles in the midst of a seven-time championship spree. The tandem would go 10-6 in the 2005 regular season, before ultimately falling short in the Divisional round of the playoffs against the Denver Broncos in a bonkers game. 

The Patriots turned the ball over five times, one of which led to a 100-yard interception return by Champ Bailey

What can the Kansas City Chiefs Learn from These Teams?

With the league expanding the playoff field since the last team to repeat, it’s never been harder for a franchise to win three Super Bowls in a row. The chiefs need luck on their side if they are to overcome this uphill task. 

The core of the team is still together. Patrick Mahomes (the back-to-back Super Bowl MVP), Travis Kelce, and five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones, are still on the roster. An addition is coach Andy Reid, the offensive, defensive and special team coordinator from last year’s Super Bowl win. 

However, there are some key departures, with cornerback L’Jarius Sneed being traded and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing with the Buffalo Bills. Rookies Xavier Worthy (receiver) and Kingsley Suamataia (left tackle) will be expected to step up. The secondary is young, and the receiving core is unproven. 

Even if all the roster questions are answered, the Chiefs need to avoid serious injuries, be part of the NFL game, and of course, hope to be on the good side of miraculous plays, flukes and ill-timed turnovers, which are often unavoidable.