Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce had a much-needed breakout recreation towards the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, aiding his crew in a 17-10 win.
Kelce, 34 — who turns 35 in lower than every week — had 5 catches for 74 yards within the first half alone. These 74 yards eclipsed the 69 yards he had amassed throughout the first three video games of the season mixed. He completed Sunday with 89 yards on seven receptions.
Getting into Sunday, Kelce hadn’t caught greater than 4 passes or completed with greater than 34 yards in any recreation this season.
Late within the first half of a win over the Atlanta Falcons final Sunday, Kelce was caught on the sidelines wanting despondent, a picture that rapidly grew to become a meme.
“I feel with how defenses are taking part in us proper now, I’m not likely getting numerous alternatives to make performs down the sphere, however not utilizing that as an excuse,” Kelce mentioned on his podcast earlier than the Chargers recreation. “Shifting ahead, nonetheless making an attempt to be sure that I will help the crew out in that regard.”
Kelce’s teammates confirmed assist for his or her struggling tight finish earlier than the sport, as a number of wore customized T-shirts adorned together with his identify and photographs.
The Chiefs entered their Week 4 battle with the Chargers undefeated however with a middling passing offense by their requirements. Kansas Metropolis was averaging 211.7 yards per recreation by way of the air after three weeks, Twelfth-best within the NFL. It ended Sunday’s recreation with 228 yards passing.
Kelce’s breakout got here at a determined time for the Chiefs’ offense.
Kansas Metropolis is already with out its main rusher, Isiah Pacheco, who underwent surgical procedure after he broke a fibula in Week 2. Pacheco was positioned on injured reserve and is predicted to overlook no less than six weeks.
Then on Sunday, the crew’s main receiver, Rashee Rice, was carted off the sphere after he injured a knee. Rice was making an attempt to make a deal with after Patrick Mahomes threw an interception when Mahomes inadvertently dove into his knee.
Kelce was the Chiefs’ main receiver final season. He completed the 2023 common season with 93 receptions for 984 yards and 5 touchdowns.
In Kansas Metropolis’s win over the San Francisco 49ers in Tremendous Bowl 58, Kelce had 9 catches for 93 yards. He’s the Chiefs’ all-time chief in receiving yards and owns the NFL document for profession postseason receptions.
Within the offseason, Kelce acted professionally for the primary time, filming a job within the FX sequence “Grotesquerie.” He additionally appeared onstage with girlfriend, Taylor Swift, throughout her Eras Tour present in London.