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How Travis Kelce can break two Jerry Rice records by end of season
Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice has several NFL records that many have deemed "unbreakable." But TE Travis Kelce has a chance to break two of them before the end of the 2023 season.
Kelce played a large role in the Chiefs' 27-24 victory over the Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs. His five-catch, 75-yard and two-touchdown performance now gives him a real shot at passing Rice in two postseason categories.
The first and most attainable is becoming the all-time leader in playoff receptions. Kelce needs just seven catches to pass Rice, who has 151 postseason catches all time.
It feels almost automatic that Kelce will soon own this record. The nine-time Pro Bowler is Kansas City's No. 1 receiver and will continue to be used that way against the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.
The other record, which will be much more difficult to break, is becoming the all-time leader in playoff receiving touchdowns. Kelce needs four touchdown receptions to tie Rice's 22 and five to pass him.
It's not impossible as Kelce just had two touchdowns in the divisional round, but opposing defenses will only narrow in on him the more plays he makes.
There is one more record of Rice's that Kelce is nearing as well. That's owning the most playoff receiving yards. Rice still has a considerable lead with 2,245 yards but Kelce could have an opportunity to break it if he still wants to play one or two more years.
The 34-year-old has 1,694 receiving yards, which puts him 552 yards away from breaking the record.
Only time will tell whether Kelce ends up breaking any of Rice's postseason records. But he has come closer than anyone else ever has, establishing himself as one of the most prolific playoff receivers of all time.
More must-reads:
- Insider says Chiefs TE Travis Kelce will join brother in retirement at seasons' end
- Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce break record for most playoff touchdowns between QB-receiver duo
- The 'NFL MVPs' quiz
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