Kelce's touchdown catch came in the second quarter when quarterback Patrick Mahomes connected with him on a third-and-goal play. This brought the Chiefs' lead to 14-0, setting them up for a strong game that ended in a 27-20 victory over the Raiders. The touchdown snapped Kelce's 12-game regular-season drought without a touchdown catch.
Before Sunday's game, Kelce had already made his mark in the NFL, with a career record of 935 receptions, ranking him fourth among tight ends in league history, and 11,573 receiving yards. His latest score further solidified his place in history, as he became only the fifth tight end to reach 75 career touchdown catches, according to NFL records.
Mahomes, 29, also reached a personal milestone, completing 19 of 24 passes for 192 yards in the first half alone. His performance in this game allowed him to surpass 30,000 career passing yards, a major achievement for the Chiefs quarterback. NBC Sports reported that the two have maintained a strong synergy on the field, which has proven crucial for the team's success.
Kelce had previously addressed his slow start to the season during his podcast New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. Reflecting on his recent performances, Kelce explained, "I used to get really frustrated, almost losing my cool. I play to a high standard, so it's tough seeing stats that don't meet that." Despite the slow start, he remained hopeful, noting, "It hasn't gone my way, but that's football. I'm not about to sit here and get frustrated."
The Chiefs, still undefeated heading into Week 8, appear to be finding their rhythm, with Kelce's return to scoring and Mahomes hitting career highs. Up next, they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Nov. 4, where both stars will aim to build on their achievements and continue the Chiefs' strong season.
