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 đ (@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.