Chiefs’ Star Strikes Back: Travis Kelce Claps Back at Former NFL HC’s Jabs
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce seems determined to quiet one of the team’s loudest critics heading into its first playoff game.
“We’ve definitely heard all of the chatter,” Kelce said Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “Guys like [ESPN analyst] Rex Ryan saying that this team can’t win in the playoffs, and he’s seen it before. We hear everything, but at the same time, we know what’s real and what’s in this building.”
During a recent episode of “Get Up,” Ryan, a former head coach with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, said “three or four teams” are better than the Chiefs. He also said, “They’re more vulnerable this year than they’ve ever been” on a “First Take” segment.
The Chiefs (15-2) clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but they didn’t look dominant this season. They had 11 one-possession victories. Kelce explained that winning close games should benefit them in the playoffs.
“We’re finding different ways to win and more ways to win early on and throughout the season,” Kelce said. “I think last year we dealt with finding ways to lose. You can learn from both, but learning from games you win is a whole lot more fun. And I think we got a lot of confidence in this team and a lot of guys are willing to go that extra mile, man.”
A confident Kelce may make it harder to bet against the Chiefs, who aim to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three straight titles.
In 16 regular-season games, Kelce recorded 97 receptions for 823 yards and a career-low three touchdown catches.
However, the 35-year-old has been a postseason performer throughout his 12-year career. He’s the league’s all-time leader in playoff receptions (165).
With Kelce using Ryan’s comments as motivation, he may deliver in Saturday’s home game vs. the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET.
