Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce still finds ways to amaze his teammates and coaches.
In Saturday’s divisional round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kelce put on another show that likely won’t soon be forgotten by Chiefs fans. Kelce’s 14 catches were the most by a tight end in a playoff game in NFL history, breaking his previous mark of 13 set against the Bills in the 2021 AFC title game.
“I think every time I stand up here, I feel like he breaks another record,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after the Chiefs’ 27-20 win that propelled them into the AFC championship game against the Bengals on Sunday at Arrowhead.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in the second quarter against the Jaguars but returned in the second half, marveled at Kelce’s performance.
“It seems like he gets better and better in the playoffs as you get further and further in there,” said Mahomes, who threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kelce in the first quarter. “And you need those type of guys, and he did a great job of making some tough, contested catches.
“He’s special. He’s a special player, a one-of-a kind player. And he’s one of the main reasons we’ve been able to be in this position so many times.”
While Mahomes was out backup QB Chad Henne filled in admirably, driving the Chiefs 98 yards for a touchdown on his first series in the game. With the team backed up against its own goal line, Henne’s first pass went to Kelce and his last pass went to Kelce, which culminated in a 1-yard touchdown strike.
“It’s all just predicated off of what goes on out there and how the defense reacts to what we’re doing,” said Kelce, who had 98 yards receiving on those 14 catches. “I was fortunate enough to be able to make those plays and have the pride to make those plays every single day for this team.
“And I take a lot on myself to be able to make those plays week in and week out, especially when we need them the most.”
Kelce, despite playing with a quarterback who hadn’t played in a postseason game in two years, said he had the utmost confidence in Henne and his teammates around him.
“You just have to be locked in and have a sense of urgency,” Kelce said. “Obviously it’s a different feeling when 15 is in there, a guy that can make anything happen even on one ankle or whatever happened to him today. And that’s the mentality you have to have and lock in and take it play by play and drive by drive and not let the emotions of the game get the best of you.”
MAHOMES ‘DOING OK’
Reid said Monday that Mahomes was “doing OK” with treatment on his sprained ankle but added that it was still too early to tell if Mahomes would practice this week or even play Sunday.
However, Reid said he expects Mahomes will probably be out there against the Bengals as the Chiefs look to return to the Super Bowl for the third time in four years.
“He’s going to play. That’s his mindset,” Reid said. “And we’ll just take it day by day and see how he does.”