The Kansas City Chiefs have strategically transformed Travis Kelce into ‘Playoff Trav’ over the past few weeks, showcasing an offense that has adapted and evolved.
Andy Reid remains committed to his signature offensive strategies, yet the roles of key players have shifted. With the emergence of rookie receiver Xavier Worthy and tight end Noah Gray, the dynamics have changed, allowing Kelce to thrive without constant attention from defenders.
During the divisional round, the Houston Texans appeared to overlook Kelce, the NFL’s all-time leading pass-catching tight end, often forgetting his presence on the field. He is not just a star athlete; he is also known for his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift. This duality adds to his public persona, but on the field, he remains a formidable force.
“It’s Playoff Trav,” Mahomes remarked following the game, highlighting the significance of Kelce’s performance.
Kelce’s first catch exemplified this newfound freedom. He received the ball wide open, sprinting for a 23-yard gain. Throughout the season, there were claims of Kelce facing double teams, but on this play, it was Worthy who drew the extra attention. As Mahomes rolled out, he cleverly manipulated the defense’s focus, allowing Kelce to slip through unnoticed.
Just six weeks prior, Kelce might not have enjoyed such open space. The contributions of Worthy and Gray have legitimized their roles, making it harder for defenses to concentrate solely on Kelce.
Reid noted, “We have a variety of guys that we’ve been able to use around [Kelce]. When we didn’t, teams were ganging up on him. Now, it’s a good problem because we have choices out there, and they can’t just focus on him.”
With players like Hollywood Brown, Isiah Pacheco, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and newly acquired DeAndre Hopkins, the Chiefs’ offense is loaded with reliable options. This was not the case earlier in the season when Kelce often stood alone as the primary offensive weapon, drawing all the defensive scrutiny.
“The opportunities that he’s had, he’s done well with,” Reid added, dismissing concerns about Kelce’s age affecting his performance.
At 35, Kelce is at an age where many athletes face declines in speed and agility. His lifestyle changes during the offseason raised questions about his readiness, but his commitment during the season remains strong.
“I appreciate that, at his age, he goes out there every day and practices hard,” Reid stated. “If you try to take him out, he gets mad at you. That’s a special thing for an older player.”
While questions linger about whether Kelce is still at his peak, he has shown he can exploit defensive lapses. Against the Texans, he demonstrated this by getting the Chiefs into the red zone. Houston’s choice to assign Myles Bryant to cover him proved disastrous. Known for his struggles in coverage, Bryant was not the ideal match-up for a player of Kelce’s caliber.
Kelce made quick work of Bryant, securing an 18-yard reception that set the stage for his subsequent touchdown catch.
Despite a season where Kelce struggled to find the end zone, his touchdown on Saturday was a significant boost for the Chiefs. He expressed frustration on his podcast “New Heights” about not being on the same page with Mahomes, indicating this miscommunication has been a challenge for the team.
As the Chiefs prepare for the AFC Championship Game against the Bills, they are unlikely to let Kelce slip through the cracks as the Texans did. The Bills will not take the risk of matching him up against a defender like Bryant in crucial scoring situations.
The Chiefs designed a play specifically for a third-and-long scenario against zone defense, showcasing their preparation. Mahomes, fully aware of his target, patiently waited for the play to develop. When pressure mounted, he delivered a precise throw to Kelce, who found space just behind the linebacker.
“Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games, and that’s just how simple it is,” Mahomes remarked, underscoring Kelce’s importance.
The Chiefs have showcased their depth in pass-catchers, including the talents of DeAndre Hopkins, Worthy, and Hollywood Brown. They have also demonstrated their ability to run the ball effectively with Pacheco and Kareem Hunt.
Last weekend, the Texans were caught off guard, allowing Kelce to capitalize on their defensive errors.
As the Bills’ coaching staff prepares for the upcoming AFC Championship Game, they face a challenging task. They will need to devise a strategy to contain the multifaceted Chiefs offense, a challenge Reid is adept at presenting to his opponents.
