Of longtime teammate and top target Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the great ones step up in the postseason.
Kelce exemplified that in record-setting fashion by recording his ninth 100-yard playoff game in the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win against the visiting Houston Texans on Saturday.
Kelce broke a tie with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most postseason 100-yard outings, as they were deadlocked at eight apiece prior to the Chiefs’ future Hall of Famer hitting his stride yet again.
Kelce hauled in an 18-yard pass from Mahomes in the third quarter to surpass 100 yards on Saturday and establish a new record in his 23rd postseason game. He finished with seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown in the victory, which sent Kansas City to the AFC Championship Game for a seventh straight season.
"Yeah, he can still play," head coach Any Reid said of Kelce after the win. "He's alright."
The accomplishment puts Kelce’s career greatness into perspective once again, but it also comes at a time when many have doubted just how much is left in the tank for the 35-year-old three-time Super Bowl champion. Before he hit 100, Kelce also hauled in a 49-yard reception in the first half -- the longest of his postseason career -- and turned in his 14th straight playoff game with 70-plus receiving yards, extending his already long-established record.
Kelce’s a 10-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro whose 1,004 career receptions are third all time for a tight end, just as his 12,151 receiving yards are. His 77 receiving touchdowns are fifth.
Of course, those are regular-season numbers. And Kelce’s 2024 regular season was pedestrian by his standards with 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns -- the latter two his lowest totals since a one-game rookie year.
As Mahomes said, and prognosticated, though, Kelce stepped up as they great ones often do.