Patrick Mahomes sees Brady-Manning similarities in Josh Allen rivalry

Sports media's obsession with what will be the next Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry isn't going away any time soon. Ahead of the AFC divisional round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, we're seeing the questions asked again. Are Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen the NFL's next Tom Brady – Peyton Manning rivalry? […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor

Jan 18, 2024 11:55 AM EST

Sports media's obsession with what will be the next Tom Brady-Peyton Manning rivalry isn't going away any time soon.

Ahead of the AFC divisional round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, we're seeing the questions asked again. Are Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen the NFL's next Tom Brady – Peyton Manning rivalry?

Mahomes grew up watching Brady and Manning duke it out in the playoffs. He recognizes some similarities as he now gets set to face Josh Allen again. Namely, the two NFL stars have played in a lot of big games against each other. In fact, of the 15 postseason games that Mahomes has played during his career, Allen is one of just three quarterbacks that he's faced more than once, joining Brady and Joe Burrow.

“Yeah, I mean we’ve played in a lot of big games," Mahomes told reporters on Wednesday. "I think the great thing about the NFL now is there’s a lot of quarterbacks that are really good and not to say they weren’t back in the day, but it seems like every year a lot of these guys are in the playoffs playing in these big games on Sunday Night, Monday Night, whatever that is. So, I’m excited for the challenge. I grew up watching those game and remember how many memories I have from that. Hopefully, we can play in these great games as well and give memories to the kids that come up behind us.”

Perhaps what differentiates this rivalry is that Mahomes and Allen are a bit friendlier off the field than Brady and Manning were during the height of their careers. They play golf and spend some time together during the offseason, which has only intensified their rivalry on the field.

“Yeah, no, I think everybody – you have friends, but whenever you, almost like when you compete against your friends you almost want to win even more because of it," Mahomes said. "(Bills QB) Josh (Allen) is a great dude. I respect the way he plays football and just the guy that he is, but it’s like, when two guys that are ultra-competitive that are friends off the field go up against each other, we obviously both want to win because we know we see each other in the offseason, and you want to have a little bit of those bragging rights.”

So far, Mahomes has been the only player to earn those bragging rights. Allen's Bills have a 0-2 record against Mahomes' Chiefs in the postseason, losing games in the AFC divisional round (2021-22) and the AFC title game (2020-21).

Even the lopsided nature of the postseason record speaks to a revival of the Brady-Manning rivalry. It took Manning's Colts three tilts with Brady's Patriots to finally get past them and win a Super Bowl title. Allen and Bills Mafia are likely hoping that the third time will be the charm for Buffalo, just as it was for Manning in Indy.