Once again, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are underdogs in a big game, but the two-time MVP seems unfazed heading into Super Bowl LVIII.
"I think you approach it like any other game," Mahomes said Monday at Super Bowl opening night. "I never feel like the underdog. I always feel like we have a chance to win the football game and that's how we approach every single game. We were underdogs in the last Super Bowl, so all you can do is just have the same mindset of just going out there, playing your best football and hoping that you end up with a win."
Kansas City faces the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas on Sunday. As of Tuesday, FanDuel lists the Chiefs as a 2.5-point underdog.
However, Mahomes has found a way to win throughout his seven-year career. According to Kevin Pulsifer of ESPN, Mahomes is 10-1-1 against the spread, the best record for a QB in the Super Bowl era. The two-time champion also gave his teammates an incentive.
"This is a business trip," he said, via NFL Media's James Palmer. "I told the guys, if we win, I'll bring back everyone to celebrate."
“This is a business trip. I told the guys that if we win I’ll bring everyone back to Vegas to celebrate.” Patrick Mahomes
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) February 6, 2024
Aside from a Vegas vacation, becoming the first team to repeat as champions since the 2004 New England Patriots should motivate the Chiefs. Seven teams have won back-to-back Super Bowls.
Mahomes, meanwhile, can add to his astonishing résumé. If the Chiefs beat the Niners, the 28-year-old will join Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, Joe Montana and Tom Brady as the only starting QBs to win three or more Super Bowls. This would further his reputation as a future Hall of Famer.
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