The Kansas City Chiefs, led by none other than Patrick Mahomes, are on the brink of history, chasing an elusive Super Bowl three-peat that hasn’t been achieved in the modern NFL era.
The Chiefs are gearing up for their Divisional Round clash with the Houston Texans, and the spotlight is on the star duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Patrick Mahomes Confident on Travis Kelce Stepping Up in the Playoffs
Mahomes, ever the leader, is banking on his star tight end to deliver yet another electrifying postseason performance.
At a press conference earlier this week, Mahomes couldn’t help but rave about Kelce’s impact. “The greats step up in the playoffs,” he said. “Travis has done it time and time again, and I expect nothing less from him this year. His mentality resonates with the entire team and gets everyone to play their best football.”
Kelce has a knack of elevating his game in high-pressure moments. The tight end has already cemented his legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. However, the 2024-25 season has been a mixed bag for Kelce statistically. He’s tallied 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns — a solid output but a far cry from his consistency during his prime years.
After sitting out Week 18 for rest, the Chiefs are betting on a rejuvenated Kelce to spearhead their offense during this playoff run. Historically, Kelce has been a postseason juggernaut, and Mahomes knows the 34-year-old still has what it takes to shine under the brightest lights.
While 8.5-point favorites over Houston, Mahomes isn’t taking the Texans lightly. “Their defense is the real deal,” he stated. “They get after the quarterback and have a secondary that can make big plays. It’s going to be a challenge, and we need to bring our best.”
In their previous Week 16 matchup, the Chiefs edged out a 27-19 victory, with Mahomes throwing for 260 yards and a touchdown. Houston’s defense experimented extensively with Cover 1 in that game. But Mahomes exploited it with precision, a factor the Texans will need to address.
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Kansas City’s path to the Super Bowl relies heavily on Mahomes and his ability to adapt. With 15 playoff wins already under his belt, Mahomes is inching closer to Joe Montana’s record and aiming to surpass Tom Brady’s playoff milestones. A win against Houston not only moves Kansas City one step closer to NFL immortality but also further makes Mahomes’ case as one of the game’s greatest performers.
While it wasn’t his flashiest or most productive season (Mahomes is No. 10 on PFN’s QB+ metric), his legacy shines the most during the crucial games and moments.
As the Chiefs prepare for Saturday’s showdown, the question isn’t whether they’re capable of winning — it’s whether they can sustain their dominance and make history.