Travis Kelce delivered a stellar performance as the Kansas City Chiefs secured a 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs. Kelce achieved his first 100-yard game of the season, catching seven passes for 117 yards. This marked a significant leap from his regular-season average of 56 receiving yards per game and set a personal record for his highest yardage in a playoff game.
The game marked a milestone for both Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as they connected for their 20th career playoff touchdown. The pivotal moment came in the fourth quarter when Mahomes found Kelce for an 11-yard touchdown pass, extending the Chiefs' lead to 20-12. Kelce's performance was a testament to his playoff prowess, with his ability to make critical plays under pressure.
Kelce's standout moment came with a 49-yard reception that set up the Chiefs' first touchdown of the game. The play demonstrated his skill and agility, as he was eventually brought down at the Houston 6-yard line. This explosive play was a key factor in the Chiefs' offensive success against the Texans.
Patrick Mahomes praised Kelce's playoff form, highlighting his resilience and ability to excel in high-stakes games.
"Those tacklers that tackle him in the regular season don't tackle him in the playoffs." – Patrick Mahomes
Kelce attributed his refreshed performance to a well-timed break before the playoffs. After more than three weeks of rest, he felt rejuvenated and ready to make a significant impact.
"It helped Travis a ton just because he's an older guy and he plays a very, very tough position on the body," – Patrick Mahomes
Kelce acknowledged his satisfaction with his performance, particularly enjoying the feeling of evading defenders.
"It just felt good to finally make a guy miss this year." – Travis Kelce
Chris Jones, Kelce’s teammate, echoed Mahomes’ sentiments about Kelce’s clutch playoff performances.
"Just when you think you've got them, you don't." – Chris Jones
Mahomes emphasized Kelce's love for performing in high-pressure situations and his knack for delivering when it matters most.
"This is what he lives for, is playing in these moments, having the chance to make big-time plays." – Patrick Mahomes
Reflecting on his 49-yard catch, Kelce humorously agreed with wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s assessment that he might have scored a touchdown on that play in his earlier career years.
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