The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their first playoff game of the 2024 NFL season when they host the Houston Texans on Saturday.
With a full week of rest, Kansas City has been able to rest and reset before a run at a potential third straight Super Bowl title.
After a season of struggling in the connection between Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, the duo is now preparing to shine on the stage where they are brightest: the playoffs.
Speaking to the media after practice, Mahomes said Kelce's presence has been a boost for the rest of the Chiefs and that everyone is focused on the same mentality.
“I think he just inspired the team and I think he has the heart of a champion,” Mahomes said proudly.
“I think that inspires everyone, and when your leaders and your Hall of Fame guys are doing that, I mean, I think everyone knows they have to risk it all.”
Patrick Mahomes praised tight end Travis Kelce after tough regular season
Neither Mahomes nor Kelce had particularly good regular seasons for the Chiefs in 2024.
Despite the Chiefs' solid 15-2 record this season, neither Mahomes nor Kelce were particularly dominant as they have been in the past.
Last season, despite the tough campaign, Mahomes managed to throw for more than 4,000 yards and earned a nod to the Pro Bowl.
This year was the first time in Mahomes' career as a starter that he failed to surpass 4,000 yards in a season. He also missed out on a Pro Bowl selection for the first time since being named the Chiefs' starter in 2018.
Like Mahomes, Kelce had a slow start to the season. The 35-year-old finished with just 823 receiving yards, the lowest of his career, excluding his rookie season. The three touchdowns he caught this year are also the fewest he's ever had.
Another sign of these difficulties is that the Chiefs were one of three teams that failed to score more than 30 points in a game this year. The other two teams were two of the worst franchises in the NFL: the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders, who finished with 4-13 records.
Of KC's 15 wins this season, ten have ended within one score, including five games with a margin of victory of three points or less.
However, the Chiefs have earned first place in the AFC and have home field advantage during the playoffs.
If they win at home this week, they will advance to their seventh straight AFC Championship game. That's one shy of the all-time record, held by the dynasty-era Patriots from 2011 to 2018.