As the NFL regular season approaches its conclusion, the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Travis Kelce, find themselves in a precarious position regarding their playoff aspirations.
The situation worsened on December 7, when the Chiefs fell to the Houston Texans, 20-10. A pivotal moment came late in the fourth quarter when Kelce dropped a crucial pass, resulting in an interception that sealed the game for Houston.
“Looking at the playoffs, this is a tough reality to be in,” Kelce expressed candidly during a December 10 episode of the “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason. “It’s a s***ty f***ing feeling, especially dropping the f***ing ball late in the game like that.”
With a record of 6-7 and only four games remaining, the Chiefs face an uphill battle. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, their chances of making the playoffs stand at a mere 11 percent.
“It’s been a tough f***ing go around over the past two days,” Travis reflected. “You put in all this f***ing work hoping it pays off, and right now for whatever f***ing reason man, it’s little things, it’s discipline. I feel like I’ve always had the answers in years past and this year I just can’t find them.”
Jason, 38, defended his brother's performance, noting that the catch was particularly challenging. He pressed Travis on how the team plans to approach the final month of the season, given their need to win every game to keep playoff hopes alive.
“We don’t necessarily control our own destiny at this point,” Travis admitted. “We need some things to happen outside of us winning all our games. That’s all you can do. You got the [Los Angeles] Chargers coming in [next] and you just get after them.”
Since the Texans game, Travis has faced criticism for what was statistically his worst performance of the season. He recorded only one reception for eight yards—both season lows—and was seen looking dejected on the sidelines, opting not to speak with media after the game.
“I’m going to always show up to work and f***ing give it my all,” he stated emphatically. “If there’s a game to be played, I’m going to make it the most important game in the world. It’s frustrating, but we got four games left and I’m going to put my f***ing heart on the line for these guys because they deserve that. Chiefs Kingdom, you guys deserve that, and we’re going to keep this thing f***ing rolling, man.”
When asked about necessary changes for the remaining games, Travis highlighted critical areas needing improvement. “Critical situations toward the end of games,” he noted. “Showing up. Dropped passes, missed blocks in key situations that can spark big runs. And scoring touchdowns. You gotta score touchdowns in this league. Field goals aren’t going to cut it.”
