Travis Kelce’s Incredible 179-Yard Performance Elevates Chiefs to Victory against Chargers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travis Kelce turned 34 on Oct. 5 and has since experienced the most remarkable three-game performance of his career, highlighted by his outstanding 12-catch, 179-yard, one-touchdown game in Sunday’s victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid attributes Kelce’s success to his improvement with age, but he also wonders if the Taylor Swift effect might be at play. Swift has attended four Kansas City Chiefs games this season, and Kelce’s yardage averages more than double when she is present compared to when she isn’t.

“Taylor can stay around all she wants,” Reid said following the Chiefs’ 31-17 triumph. Regardless, Kelce’s recent performance in the past three games surpasses anything he has accomplished in his illustrious career, with a total of 31 catches against the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and the Chargers.

“Even if you anticipate his moves, you still can’t stop him,” Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling remarked.

According to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kelce sometimes doesn’t even know which route he will run before the snap. He has the freedom to adjust his route against certain coverages, and he capitalized on this opportunity multiple times against the Chargers.

“The most impressive thing is how well he recognizes coverage and adjusts on the go,” said Mahomes. “We always talk about it, but it’s a skill that should never be taken for granted. It’s almost like he’s playing a game of Madden. He can read the coverage, find open windows, and always be on the same page as me. He did an exceptional job.

“He consistently demonstrates this week after week, which is why he’s the player he is, and he’ll undoubtedly be a future Hall of Famer.”

Kelce sat out the Chiefs’ season opener against the Detroit Lions last month. However, since then, he has made an astounding 48 catches in the following six games, tying the record for the most receptions by a tight end in their first six games in NFL history.

Mahomes doesn’t deny that, in some ways, Kelce has only gotten better with age.

“He’s become even more adept at recognizing coverages,” Mahomes stated. “He’s faced every team, every coverage, and every method of trying to shut him down. Because of this, he can identify and dismantle it on the fly.”

Mahomes couldn’t resist teasing Kelce playfully. The two connected on a 53-yard pass in the second quarter, with Kelce catching a short pass and advancing it to the Chargers’ 6-yard line, where he was tackled.

Nevertheless, the Chiefs scored on the succeeding play.

“A younger Travis would have scored a touchdown on that play,” Mahomes joked. “I’ll admit that. But apart from that, he’s done an exceptional job finding ways to get open and delivering these phenomenal performances.”