Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce can set pair of NFL records in Sunday’s playoff game
One bright spot in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LV loss was tight end Travis Kelce, who had 10 receptions for 133 yards, nearly half of quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ passing yards in the game.
That followed a 13-catch effort against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game.
The NFL said if Kelce finishes Sunday’s AFC Wild Card Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with 10 receptions or more, it will mark a first in league history. No player has ever had 10 receptions in three consecutive postseason games.
Kelce also would be the first player in NFL postseason history to record four games with at least 10 receptions. He also had 10 catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns in the Chiefs’ epic Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans in 2020.
One other record is within reach Sunday. Kelce had more than 100 receiving yards in all three of the Chiefs’ postseason games a year ago. If he again reaches the century mark, Kelce will join Antonio Brown (Jan. 3, 2015 to Jan. 15, 2017) and Larry Fitzgerald (Jan. 3, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2009) as the only players ever to record at least 100 receiving yards in four consecutive postseason games, the league said.
With 8 receiving yards, Kelce will join Rob Gronkowski as the only tight ends in playoff history with at least 1,000 career receiving yards.
Kelce was asked this week what he likes most about playing in the postseason.
“Just the opportunity to keep playing the game, you know?” Kelce said. “There’s a lot of teams that won’t be out there this week. And it’s a blessing. It’s a blessing to be here in Kansas City and have the success that we’ve had over the over my entire nine years in the league. And I just try and take advantage of those opportunities, man, because not everybody gets them.”
Mahomes near playoff record
In each of his three seasons as the Chiefs starting quarterback, Mahomes has helped Kansas City win at least one playoff game.
Should the Chiefs defeat the Steelers, Mahomes would tie Donovan McNabb, Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to win at least one postseason game in four of his first five seasons.
Mahomes could also become the sixth quarterback with at least one victory in each of his first four postseason appearances.
The NFL said if Mahomes throws for 250 yards against the Steelers, he will tie Drew Brees (nine consecutive games from Feb. 7, 2010 to Jan. 13, 2019) for the second-longest streak of 250 yard passing games. The Buccaneers’ Tom Brady holds the record with 12 (Feb. 1, 2015 to Feb. 3, 2019).
