Andy Reid-Bill Belichick combine to lead coaches in one key stat
Not long ago, the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots had the hottest rivalry in the NFL. In 2018 the Patriots got the best of Kansas City in a 43-40 regular season shootout, then a few months later New England came out on top in overtime in a legendary AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs would get […]
Not long ago, the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots had the hottest rivalry in the NFL. In 2018 the Patriots got the best of Kansas City in a 43-40 regular season shootout, then a few months later New England came out on top in overtime in a legendary AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs would get a measure of revenge in 2019 when they beat the Patriots 23-16 in a down-to-the-wire contest.
Although the Patriots are a much different franchise in 2023, they are still led by a future sure-fire Hall of Fame coach. Bill Belichick ranks third in NFL history in regular season wins with 301. Not far behind him is Chiefs' future hall of fame coach Andy Reid, who ranks fourth with 255. Their matchup on Sunday will mark the first game in NFL history featuring two opposing head coaches with at least 250 regular season wins.
Belichick and Reid's 556 combined wins are the most ever by two opposing head coaches in a single game. The previous high was 496 by Don Shula and Tom Landry when the Dallas Cowboys faced the Miami Dolphins in November of 1987. Belichick and Reid have both already passed Landry, who ranks fifth all-time in regular season wins, while Shula sits atop the list with 328 wins.
There is a degree of uncertainty surrounding both Belichick and Reid's coaching future. Neither are exactly spring chickens, with Belichick at 71 years old and Reid at 65. It would be more than understandable if either decided they've had enough of the day-to-day grind of NFL coaching life. Before last year's Super Bowl rumors circulated of Reid considering retirement. One would assume he'll finish out his contract, which runs through 2025, but then he'll have a big decision to make.
As for Belichick, his future beyond the 2023 season is in doubt. Staying in New England isn't out of the question, but he could look to move on to a new team, perhaps one that already has a franchise quarterback. Retirement could be in the cards, but Belichick is still coaching at an elite level, as reflected by his team's stellar defense which ranks third against the run and eighth overall this season.
Regardless of what the future holds, Belichick and Reid have done enough to be considered among the great all-time head coaches in any sport. The possibility of either winning another championship shortly isn't a reach. Belichick owns a 6-4 career record over Reid dating back to Reid's days with the Philadelphia Eagles. New England hosts Kansas City on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
Chiefs WR Justyn Ross not expected to play vs. Patriots
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Justyn Ross practiced this week but will not play against the Patriots on Sunday.
