Like last season, Kelce had a quiet year, but continued his impressive post-season record, with partner Taylor Swift supporting him in the chilly Arrowhead Stadium.
WNBA star Kaitlyn Clark, a lifelong Chiefs fan, was a guest at Swift’s suite and they were on their feet from the first play of the game as Nico Remigio returned a kickoff 63 yards, fumbling the ball while being pulled down by Kansas City Chiefs. Get it back.
The Chiefs settled for a Harrison Butker field goal on that opening drive and took a 6-3 lead after two more field goals in the first quarter.
Fairbairn’s next field goal attempt was blocked by the wind and went wide right, before Kelce made his first big play.
Mahomes found Kelce up the middle and continued to run for a 49-yard gain, his longest catch of the season, setting up running back Hunt to hit him from long range.
Fairbairn’s second field goal made it a one-score game at halftime, and Houston opened the third quarter with a 10-plus scoring drive.
This culminated when Joe Mixon ran into the corner of the end zone from 13 yards out, yet Fairbairn kicked the extra point wide so Kansas City remained ahead 13-12.
The Chiefs then extended their lead on the ensuing drive, as Mahomes found Kelce three times before showing off his athleticism by hooking an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kelce — while leaning forward at a 45-degree angle.
Kansas City’s defense allowed them to keep the game going, with Butker adding his third field goal before Fairbairn’s dismal day continued.
The Chiefs recognized the safety at the death, as Kelce finished with 117 receiving yards and moved within two of Jerry Rice’s all-time record for touchdown catches in a postseason (22).