With the way matters are unfolding, by the time the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce hang up their shoulder pads, they will likely be the greatest playoff duo in NFL playoff history. One key play during Kansas City’s latest AFC title game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday exemplified the magic these two superstars create when the lights are brightest.
Late in a first-half red-zone possession — while already holding a 6-3 lead — the Chiefs were trying to separate themselves from the Bengals by going for it on a fourth and short. Fortunately for Kansas City, their go-to call of Mahomes to Kelce resulted in a clutch touchdown and a seemingly firm 10-point lead:
4th & inches?? WE'LL TAKE A TOUCHDOWN INSTEAD pic.twitter.com/RGpGYi0uO7
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 30, 2023
The Mahomes-Kelce connection on this play wasn’t only significant for the comfortable margin it gave the Chiefs in a huge Championship Sunday battle. It officially gave the red and gold pair 13 career playoff touchdowns together — surpassing the legendary Joe Montana and Jerry Rice’s time (12 scores) with the San Francisco 49ers.
Now only Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski’s tenure with the Patriots (15 touchdowns) remains for Mahomes and Kelce to supplant:
Most TD among QB-Receiver duos in playoff history
Brady to Gronk 15
Mahomes to Kelce 13
Montana to Rice 12 pic.twitter.com/HejTk61k2v— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 30, 2023
By catching this 14-yard touchdown, Kelce also put himself within reach of hitting his pregame over of 74.5 receiving yards. For this prolific future Hall of Fame TE, it helps to have one of the most talented QBs ever to play the game throwing him the ball anywhere and everywhere.
NFL fans were astounded by the latest playoff magic created by Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
.@chiefs on 4-1 no DBL on @tkelce ??? For real? @PatrickMahomes with another TD pass in an AFC CH Game #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/H40vSyFxnF
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 30, 2023
I’m convinced that Patrick Mahomes could find Travis Kelce downfield with his eyes closed #CINvsKC pic.twitter.com/n4KOHg0ABN
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) January 30, 2023
So much for Mahomes not extending a play to find Kelce in meaningful moments.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 30, 2023
Mahomes and Kelce in the redzone pic.twitter.com/jYsJzzYVew
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 30, 2023
The chemistry between Mahomes and Kelce is unreal. Their ability to improvise during huge plays makes them so hard to stop. pic.twitter.com/XlaV4UGOIK
— Matt Cassel (@M_Cassel16) January 30, 2023
Mahomes-Kelce is the best QB-TE duo I’ve ever seen. Their chemistry to improvise is incredible.
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) January 30, 2023
Mahomes to Kelce = Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/cIWN3Xqreg
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) January 30, 2023
Mahomes and Kelce pic.twitter.com/whdumDQxZU
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) January 30, 2023
That Touchdown from Mahomes to Kelce wasn’t about X’s and O’s, it was about relationship. Defenses watch film too. When they cover the route concept, now what do you do? The connection between Mahomes and Kelce is NEXT LEVEL.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 30, 2023
Updated injury report on Mahomes and Kelce… pic.twitter.com/bB1gSSOWCH
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 30, 2023
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce should be illegal pic.twitter.com/ukCDWjdTEC
— John “Supi” Supowitz (@ImThatSupi) January 30, 2023
I do not and will not ever worry about the health of Mahomes and Kelce. They will do great things either way
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) January 30, 2023
