Travis Kelce takes game to 'new level' in Chiefs' win over Texans - ESPN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs once again saw the shift in Travis Kelce as they began the postseason and Kelce became what Mahomes called «Playoff Trav.»

«This is what he lives for, is playing in these moments, having the chance to make big-time plays,» Mahomes said after Kelce provided almost half of the Chiefs' receptions and more than half of their receiving yards in a 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs.

«He goes out there and does that, and it seems like he does it in every single playoff game.

»He doesn't let the moment be bigger than what it is. He just goes out there and executes at a high level just like he does in a regular-season game. He just does that with a little bit higher intensity."

Kelce caught seven passes for 117 yards and an 11-yard touchdown from Mahomes in the fourth quarter. It was his first 100-yard game of the season and the ninth of his playoff career, the latter setting an NFL record.

Kelce exceeded his regular-season average for yards per game in the playoffs every year since 2020. Kelce against the Texans more than doubled his season average of 56 receiving yards per game.

Kelce said he had no explanation.

«I wish it was some type of switch or something like that that I just turned on in the playoffs,» Kelce said.

Kelce was one of several Chiefs players who until Saturday hadn't played since the team's Christmas Day win over the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the AFC's top playoff seed. Kelce, 35, said he felt much more refreshed for having a break of more than three weeks heading into the playoffs and Mahomes agreed.

«It helped Travis a ton just because he's an older guy and he plays a very, very tough position on the