Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is about to catch a legend: What to watch vs. Broncos on Sunday
The Chiefs are about to have a new leader in career reception yards.
Travis Kelce needs 72 to surpass Tony Gonzalez as the franchise’s all-time leader in that category. Gonzalez amassed 10,940 yards in a Chiefs uniform from 1997 to 2008. Kelce, who started his NFL career in 2013, stands at 10,869.
Kelce has been on a heater lately, with 303 yards in his previous two games, including 124 against the Denver Broncos two weeks ago. Kelce had topped 100 yards by halftime in both games.
After leaving Kansas City, Gonzales played five additional years in Atlanta and finished his career with 15,127 receiving yards, the most in NFL history by a tight end.
Can the 34-year-old Kelce catch Tony G. on that list?
Another list Kelce could soon top: career touchdown receptions for the Chiefs. Gonzalez again stands on top with 76; Kelce has 73.
Here are a few more things worth watching on Sunday when the Chiefs visit the Denver Broncos:
Player to watch: Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis
In the earlier game against the Broncos, the Chiefs were credited with nine passes defended, Four were batted down at the line, with Karlaftis swatting two.
“I think the best thing we can do is be physical up front,” Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson said.
The Chiefs’ pass defense held the Broncos to 97 yards, and that was without its latest edition, Charles Omenihu. Wilson and the Broncos should be better on home turf, but this is another opportunity for the Chiefs to reinforce the idea of defensive improvement.
Player to watch: Broncos WR Cortland Sutton
Will this be Sutton’s last game in a Broncos uniform? What about Jerry Jeudy?
The two are rumored to be possible trade pieces as the deadline approaches next Tuesday. Sutton’s in his sixth season and leads the Broncos with 31 receptions and five touchdown catches. Jeudy, in his fourth season, has 25 receptions.
Might either of them bring back the type of compensation, especially in draft picks, the Broncos will be seeking?
Special teams player to week: Chiefs safety Justin Reid
Harrison Butker missed some practice time this past week, so safety Justin Reid, the Chiefs’ emergency kicker, handled the kicking duties in practice.
Could Reid, who went 1-for-2 on extra points last season, become an NFL kicker if he concentrated on the position? Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub isn’t sure.
“I feel comfortable that Justin can come in (on a temporary basis),” Toub said. “He’s good enough to get us through a game.”
Streak to watch: Patrick Mahomes’ picks
Mahomes is 12-0 in his career against the Broncos, but he’s also riding a streak of having thrown an interception in three straight games against Denver.
What’s more, his nine career interceptions against the Broncos are the most he’s thrown against any team.
Mahomes will start his 88th regular-season game Sunday. He’s thrown an interception in 42 of them, including seven against the Broncos.
Player who changed teams since last meeting: Keondre Coburn
It didn’t take long for defensive tackle Keondre Coburn to face his original team.
Coburn, the Chiefs’ sixth-round draft choice, was claimed on waivers by the Broncos. He was inactive for Denver’s victory over the Packers last week.
We’ll see if Coburn, who wore No. 99 for the Chiefs but is No. 94 for the Broncos, suits up Sunday.
“When you claim a first-year player, you’re looking for grades you had just six months ago,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “It’s hard to find big guys inside. His makeup is good.”
