The Kansas City Chiefs fell 22-19 to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, dropping to 5-5 and third in the AFC West and despite the loss, Patrick Mahomes praised Travis Kelce as he made history with his 84th career touchdown.
Surpassing Priest Holmes for the franchise record, Mahomes connected with Kelce on a 21-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, temporarily giving the Chiefs a 19-16 lead but they lost the game.
It was Kelce’s fourth receiving touchdown of the season and the milestone marked the most in franchise history as the 36-year-old continues to enjoy a strong season despite his advanced age.
The 30-year-old quarterback has been involved in nearly all 84 of Kelce’s career touchdowns, giving him unique insight into the veteran tight end’s work ethic as both have played their entire careers in Kansas City.
Winning three Super Bowls together since Mahomes’ debut in 2017, the QB knows how important his tight end is and chose to celebrate him after the game, despite the tough loss in Colorado.
“He deserves it,” Mahomes said of Kelce after the game (h/t A to Z Sports’ Charles Goldman). “The work he puts in every day…
“It speaks to the person he is to go out there and break that record.”
Kelce finished the game with nine receptions for 91 yards and his touchdown came on 3rd-and-6 in the fourth quarter, giving Kansas City the lead. Without that play, the Chiefs likely would have been forced to settle for a field goal in a critical moment.
“It came at a big moment in the game, and that’s usually when (Kelce) makes those plays,” Mahomes said, praising Kelce’s clutch performance – which has been key in their charge to three Super Bowl rings.
Kansas City out of AFC West race – and NFL Playoffs too?
However, the Chiefs were unable to hold their advantage. Harrison Butker‘s point-after attempt was blocked, leaving Kansas City with a three-point lead.
Then Denver’s Wil Lutz converted a field goal to tie and another to win the game as time expired, leaving the Chiefs frustrated.
The Chiefs’ loss leaves them 3.5 games behind the division-leading Broncos and 1.5 behind the Los Angeles Chargers with a 5-5 record and a 2-4 conference mark, as Kansas City faces a steep climb to return to postseason contention in 2025.
“Obviously, it’s going to be tough to get back in the division race,” Mahomes said – but the more pressing concern is regaining a playoff spot with a surging Indianapolis Colts team next on the schedule at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs are currently ninth in the AFC wild-card standings and the top seven teams qualify for the playoffs, so the team must win crucial remaining games, including matchups against the Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Chargers, to remain in contention.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones emphasized the need for accountability.
“I felt that energy; I felt that sense of urgency,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “We’ve just got to execute.”
Kansas City has reached the AFC Championship Game in every season Mahomes has started, giving hope despite the recent setback and the Chiefs’ schedule remains challenging but manageable.
They host Indianapolis and Dallas on Thanksgiving, followed by Houston and Los Angeles at Arrowhead, before traveling to Tennessee so winning these games could allow a 10-5 record, keeping playoff hopes alive.
It’s achievable but a tall order before Kansas City concludes the season with home and road matchups against Denver and Las Vegas Raiders, the latter taking place on January 4.
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