KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Whereas the fireworks exploded above and followers inside Arrowhead Stadium cheered after one other landing for Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes saved his eye on the ball, the identical ball he threw to essentially the most dependable cross catcher of his nine-year profession. Mahomes picked up the ball, understanding its significance, and made certain to provide it to a staff staffer on the Chiefs' sideline for Kelce to maintain.
Within the Chiefs' snug 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders, Kelce's 10-yard landing late within the third quarter was a historic one. His 83rd profession rating tied former working again Priest Holmes for essentially the most whole touchdowns in Chiefs franchise historical past.
“I simply cherish these moments, man, having the ability to play at Arrowhead,” Kelce stated, smiling. “This place is particular, man, and I find it irresistible right here. When it comes to the historic stuff, I am nonetheless wanting on the subsequent sport and the following catch and attempting to get higher.”
Monday's victory was the Chiefs' fifth previously six video games, with every coming by double digits. Kelce additionally had his greatest sport of the season, main the Chiefs with six receptions on eight targets for 99 yards.
“He is simply the true Chiefs' Chief,” Mahomes stated of Kelce's accomplishments. “He is the man that is been right here by means of the entire thing, being right here with Coach [Andy] Reid the complete time. He helped set the tradition of what it means to play for Coach Reid and for Kansas Metropolis. I used to be in a position to are available and have that man to depend on.
“He is breaking all of the information now. He is all in regards to the staff, so I needed to verify he will get that [ball], and hopefully we will get one other ball for him later within the season when he breaks the document.”
The primary time Mahomes threw the ball to Kelce on Monday night time, the first-quarter play resulted in a 1-yard loss. However on the following play, Mahomes put the ball again in Kelce's arms. The lone difficulty for the Chiefs was that the ball did not stick with Kelce, as a substitute bouncing within the air and being intercepted by linebacker Bobby Wagner.
The Chiefs' lackluster efficiency on offense within the first half, that includes two giveaways, led to a 7-7 tie at halftime.
“Whenever you have a look at how every thing unfolded within the first half, my drop changed into an interception, and it was sort of us dictating how we had been enjoying,” Kelce stated. “After we determined within the second half to only rally collectively and match [the Commanders'] power — play sturdy, play quick and play bodily — we ended up placing some factors on the board.”
Kelce put collectively one other classic efficiency by doing what he has all the time accomplished all through his profession: devour zone protection.
All of Kelce's manufacturing was towards the Commanders' zone protection, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats. The Commanders' secondary typically needed to fear in regards to the velocity from receivers Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and Tyquan Thornton. Earlier than his landing reception, Kelce ran an out route, then pivoted in the wrong way, which created further separation towards free security Darnell Savage.
“He is a really affected person participant, and I have been studying that from him continuously,” receiver Rashee Rice stated of Kelce. “The primary half was gradual, and me and him had a chat as quickly as we got here out earlier than the second half began. He did not need to say an excessive amount of, however only for him to say I must get going, it nonetheless meant loads.”
The most important spotlight for the Chiefs was when Kelce wasn't Mahomes' first, second or third passing choice on a play-action snap early within the third quarter. Kelce leaked out after blocking for a wide-open 38-yard achieve by which he rumbled and stumbled into the pink zone.
“Though we've not been hitting a few of these explosive performs, the defenses are respecting it,” Mahomes stated. “That was a shot play the place I had [Worthy] and [Brown] they usually lined them effectively. Travis was blocking, blocking, blocking and it's a must to play, so he simply launched as a result of he noticed nobody was guarding him.”
Collectively, Mahomes and Kelce are simply the third quarterback-tight finish duo in NFL historical past to attach for 75 touchdowns, together with the playoffs, becoming a member of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski (105) and Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates (90).
“I am simply the outdated, fortunate canine nonetheless in a position to do that factor, man,” Kelce stated, smiling. “I am placing on the pads like I am 15 years outdated once more. I am loving each single little bit of it.”
