Watch: Travis Kelce reception leads to Chiefs TD vs. Texans

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) celebrates with tight end Travis Kelce (87) after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Watch: Long Travis Kelce reception leads to Chiefs TD vs. Texans

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 6:01 PM ET

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' connection with tight end Travis Kelce is as strong as ever.

During the second quarter of Kansas City's home divisional-round game against the Texans, Mahomes completed a 49-yard pass to Kelce that set up the Chiefs' first touchdown three plays later.

Kelce caught Mahomes' pass in the middle of the field at the Houston 43-yard line, and he broke two tackles as he rumbled inside the red zone before being tackled at the 6-yard line.

Per NFL Plus, it was the first play this season where Kelce gained 20 yards after the catch.

Travis Kelce’s 49-yard catch and run was his first play where he gained over 20 YAC on a play this season, per @NextGenStats

: #HOUvsKC on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+
pic.twitter.com/mMGpm1ht86
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 18, 2025

Kelce had modest numbers (by his standards) during the regular season. He ended the year with 823 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 8.5 yards per catch.

His massive catch and run adds another chapter to his historic postseason career. Kelce holds the record for most playoff receptions in NFL history (167) and has led the league in playoff receptions and receiving yards the past two seasons.

The Chiefs led 13-6 at halftime.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

More must-reads: