Is Patrick Mahomes vs. Joe Burrow the next Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning? Analyzing QB rivalry hype

Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow are all set to meet again in the AFC Championship game for the 2022 NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals will face off for the fourth time in the last two years, including the second-consecutive season that they will each appear in the Conference Title game. A true rivalry has been developing between two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

While Mahomes and Burrow are each relatively early in their careers so far, their rivalry has the making of one that could become iconic in NFL history if they continue on their current trajectories. They have a long way to go before they reach this elite level of rivalry, but it could one day mirror that of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports history.

Will Tom Brady and Peyton Manning's rivalry be replicated?

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady faced off against each other an incredible 17 times during their NFL careers. All of Brady's appearances against Manning came with the New England Patriots. Manning's appearances were with both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. Manning retired before Brady switched teams to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tom Brady holds a head-to-head edge over Peyton Manning with a 11-6 overall record. Manning's Colts were 4-8 against Brady's Patriots, while the Broncos were 2-3 overall. Their head-to-head record in the NFL Playoffs is a bit of a different story. Manning holds a 3-2 postseason edge, including a 3-1 record against Brady in AFC Championship games.

The volume of their rivalry, along with their extreme competitiveness, is what made it so special. They were each not only two of the best quarterbacks at the time, but two of the greatest to ever play the game. Brady's seven Super Bowl rings are the most by any player ever, while Manning's five NFL MVP awards are also the most ever.

No rivalry since this one has ever matched its intensity when factoring in all aspects involved. The closest thing to it among active quarterbacks is clearly Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes, despite being too early to say how far it will go in reaching this iconic comparison.

Will Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes live up to the expectation?

Expectations can only truly be measured in hindsight. The expectations placed on Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow are so astronomical right now that they each must go down in NFL history as two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever step on the field. This is how their rivalry can continue to blossom and potentially reach Brady-Manning status one day.

While this may seem like a tall order, they are both well on their way to fulfilling their apparent infinite potential. Burrow is in just his second full season as the starting quarterback after being injured during his rookie year. He has reached, at least, the AFC Championship game in both seasons and already has a Super Bowl appearance. He has a chance to go even further this year.

Patrick Mahomes is off to the best start to his career of any quarterback in NFL history. In his first four seasons, he won an NFL MVP award, Super Bowl ring, Super Bowl MVP award, and two AFC Championships. He has a chance to add to all of those totals in year five. He will appear again in the AFC Championship game and is currently the favorite to be named the NFL MVP for the 2022 season.

While they are yet to reach the same level as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, particularly due to volume, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes are well on their way to potentially getting there. Most true NFL fans are probably hoping they do exactly that.

Why Joe Burrow leads Patrick Mahomes 3-0?

Joe Burrow has demonstrated early in his career that he's able to elevate his game in the biggest moments. A great example of this is his three appearances against Patrick Mahomes so far, where he has accomplished a perfect 3-0 record. Even more notable is that the Bengals came from behind to overcome the Chiefs in all three games. Burrow's unmatched clutch and poise in pivotal situations is likely the reason he has owned the rivalry to this point.

The highlight of their rivalry so far was during the AFC Championship game for the 2021 NFL season. Burrow led a late comeback to force overtime against the Chiefs, where the Bengals were eventually victorious. Mahomes will look to get his revenge this year in a rematch. It will likely require a signature performance, as Burrow has shown he's always ready to take it to a new level when he faces off against his rival.