Patrick Mahomes threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs secured homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Travis Kelce made history by becoming the third tight end in NFL history to achieve 1,000 career receptions and also set a franchise record with his 77th career touchdown catch. Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson also contributed with touchdown receptions, while Kareem Hunt added a rushing touchdown for the Chiefs, who improved to 15-1.
Russell Wilson, on the other hand, completed 23 of 37 passes for 205 yards and one interception for the Steelers, who dropped to 10-6 and failed to clinch the AFC North division title for the second consecutive game, having lost three games in a row. Mahomes completed 29 of 38 pass attempts, leading the Chiefs to their sixth consecutive victory and setting a franchise record with their 15th win of the season.
Kelce’s standout performance included eight catches for 84 yards, elevating his career receptions total to 1,004. He surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and Jason Witten (1,228) to become the tight end with the third-most receptions in NFL history.
Interestingly, Kelce broke Gonzalez’s franchise record for receiving touchdowns and paid homage to him by mimicking Gonzalez’s signature dunk of the football through the goalpost. Gonzalez, a former college basketball player, was renowned for his receiving prowess during his NFL career.
Despite the absence of star tackle Chris Jones due to a calf injury, the Chiefs’ defense shone, registering five sacks and limiting the Steelers’ offensive production. Kansas City held a narrow six-point lead at halftime, which they extended to 16-7 following a field goal by Harrison Butker early in the third quarter.
Pittsburgh responded with a field goal by Chris Boswell to narrow the gap to 16-10 with just under six minutes left in the third quarter. Kelce’s milestone catch, a 19-yard reception late in the third quarter, set the stage for Hunt’s 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, though the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Chiefs with a 22-10 lead.
Kelce added to his impressive performance by catching a 12-yard touchdown pass in the final quarter, further widening the gap to 29-10 in favor of Kansas City. Mahomes connected on two touchdown passes in the first half, with Worthy and Watson on the receiving end, helping the Chiefs to a 13-7 halftime lead.
Worthy’s 7-yard touchdown catch was followed by a penalty for excessive celebration, leading to Butker’s missed extra-point attempt. Mahomes then found Watson for an 11-yard score late in the opening quarter, capping off a productive drive that also featured a 49-yard completion to Watson.
