Travis Kelce's postseason surge is key to Chiefs' Super Bowl run
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has entered playoff mode.
In a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, Kelce showed why he's a future Hall of Famer, breaking Jerry Rice's postseason reception record.
The 34-year-old finished with 11 catches on 11 targets for 116 yards and one TD, giving him 156 playoff receptions.
"When the lights get brighter, he plays better," Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said of Kelce in a postgame news conference. "That's the true mark of a champion, and that's what he is."
Kelce's numbers dipped slightly in the regular season, causing some concern. The nine-time Pro Bowler recorded 93 receptions for five TDs but averaged a career-low 10.6 yards per reception in 15 games. In the playoffs, however, he has the second-most receiving yards (262) and is tied for the most receiving TDs (three).
As a result, the Chiefs offense is surging at the right time following an underwhelming regular season. K.C. has averaged 23.3 points and 363 yards per game in the playoffs, compared to 21.8 points and 351.2 yards per game in the regular season.
Kansas City —making its fourth Super Bowl appearance in six years — faces San Francisco on Feb. 11. The 49ers are second in the league in points scored (28.9) and are third in points allowed (18.4). As of Monday, FanDuel lists them as a 1.5-point favorite.
As Kelce said following the win over Baltimore, "the Chiefs are still the Chiefs." Kansas City has won two Super Bowls in four years and is attempting to become the first team to repeat as champions since the 2004 New England Patriots.
Don't rule out the Chiefs pulling off an upset, especially when one of their best players is on a tear.
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