KC Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce breaks NFL record vs. Bengals in AFC Championship Game
No tight end in NFL history has been more productive than Travis Kelce at the time of year it matters most.
Kelce surpassed Rob Gronkowski’s postseason record of 98 receptions in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs lost 27-24 in overtime, but with his 10 receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown on Sunday, Kelce became just the third player in league history to record more than 100 receptions in the playoffs. The other two are Jerry Rice (151) and Julian Edelman (118).
“(Kelce’s) just a competitor, man,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “Obviously, he’s super-talented and everybody knows that. The routes he runs, how big and athletic he is and everything like that.”
Kelce broke the historic mark in the second quarter, on the Chiefs’ third drive of the game. In signature fashion, he turned a short pass from Mahomes into a big gain, picking up 19 yards to get the Chiefs to Cincinnati’s 38-yard line.
A few plays later, Kelce eluded more defenders for another chunk gain after the catch, this time for 12 yards. He raised both arms above his head, letting out a shout and amping up an already raucous Arrowhead crowd.
On the next snap, Mahomes threw a 3-yard pass to wide receiver Mecole Hardman for a touchdown, Mahomes’ third of the game. The Chiefs took a 21-3 lead with that second-quarter score.
But perhaps Kelce’s best moment of the afternoon came on the reception before the one that broke the record, when he hauled in Mahomes’ second touchdown pass.
On third and 2, Mahomes scrambled like magic, escaping multiple defenders as Kelce worked to get open. Kelce started on the left and cut diagonally into the end zone, then waited for a moment — in perfect sync with Mahomes, who was scrambling for space from which to throw.
Mahomes found an opening, Kelce sprinted to the right corner, and they connected for a 5-yard touchdown. The tight end spread his arms wide, gave a shimmy and spiked the ball in celebration as fans erupted in cheers.
The Chiefs’ offense fell into a lull in the second half and the Bengals took a 24-21 lead on a field goal with a little under six and a half minutes left. On the following drive, Kelce once again provided a spark. He had four catches for 33 yards en route to a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation.
“He’s just a guy you want to go to battle with,” Mahomes said. “He’s gonna fight to the very end. I mean, that’s the type of dude he is.”
The chemistry between Kelce and Mahomes has been on full display throughout the Chiefs’ postseason run. Kelce has scored a touchdown and recorded at least 95 yards in all three playoff games, including the game-winner in overtime against the Bills.
In that game, Kelce also played a key role in directing the Chiefs’ offense down the field in just 13 seconds at the end of regulation. The Chiefs weren’t able to pull off a miraculous overtime win this time around, though.
This story was originally published January 30, 2022 at 5:56 PM.
