Patrick Mahomes praised Travis Kelce after the tight end's monster performance in the Chiefs' 23-14 divisional round win over the Texans.
Kelce turned back the clock with his second 100-yard performance of the season, totaling seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.
“You know eight-seven was going to show up every time there was a big moment, and he did,” Mahomes told ESPN's Lisa Salters after the game.
“I mean, everyone was asking, 'Where's Travis Kelce?' And I think he showed the world where he stands.”
Kelce looked rejuvenated by his time off following the Chiefs' first-round bye, and also recorded his longest catch of the year when he broke free for 49 yards in the second quarter.
It was the first time Kelce, Mahomes and many of the Chiefs' other starters had played since Christmas Day, as coach Andy Reid rested his stars in a rubber matchup against the Broncos in Week 18.
Travis Kelce, seen dancing after scoring a touchdown, had a big game in the 23-14 win.
And although the Chiefs didn't score a touchdown until 4:36 remained in the first half, Mahomes doesn't believe rust was a factor.
'I don't think it was rust. It's a good defense and we scored 23 points against them. “It's a really good team,” he said.
'So I'm not going to use that excuse as rust. “We went out there, we fought, we found ways to score points, but we're going to be even better next week.”
The Chiefs will now set their sets against either the Ravens or the Bills, with the winner of the Baltimore-Buffalo divisional round matchup traveling to Kansas City for the AFC Championship Game next Sunday.
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