The Kansas City Chiefs are dreaming of a third title in a row. © APA / JAMIE SQUIRE

Kansas City continues to hone the impossible

The Kansas City Chiefs have won their first playoff game of the season and are just one more win away from returning to the Super Bowl.

19 January 2025

From: dpa

The Chiefs still have a chance to become the first team in history to win the most important title in American football for the third time in a row.

Kansas City beat the Houston Texans 23-14, benefiting from a strong performance by Travis Kelce. The partner of superstar Taylor Swift had a touchdown and gained at least 100 yards in a playoff game for the ninth time in his career. No other professional football player in NFL history has achieved that. "It's about being there in the important moments. He was. Everyone asked where Travis Kelce was. He showed the world," said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Chiefs get off to a dream start

The Chiefs' next opponent is the winner of the duel between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills. This game is the last of the divisional round and begins on Monday night (2.30:XNUMX a.m.). The Chiefs are in the AFC final for the seventh time in a row. "The goal is to advance in the playoffs. We have to be better in some situations, but at the end of the day it's about winning," said Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory. © APA / JAMIE SQUIRE

The Chiefs opened the game after the kickoff with a 63-yard run and caused great cheers from the spectators in the freezing cold Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City at minus 6 degrees Celsius. The Texans defense did a good job and only allowed one field goal, but the tone was set: The Chiefs always had a slight advantage and found a way out in the decisive moments. It was particularly bitter for the Texans: a missed extra point prevented a possible equalizer at 13:13. The team had already missed a field goal beforehand.

Kelce makes preliminary decision

Kelce's touchdown to make it 20:12 in the final quarter finally sealed the deal. Quarterback Mahomes hurled the ball to his favorite teammate as he fell, and Kelce crowned a strong evening with a safe catch. The veteran gained a total of 117 yards on seven passes caught.

In addition to Kelce's strong performance, the defending champions' defense was also a decisive factor. George Karlaftis alone had three sacks, and the Chiefs brought down Texans quarterback CJ Stroud eight times in total. The hosts dashed the Texans' last hopes with a blocked field goal attempt.