Football
Sunday is a big football day for the Kelce family.
Jason Kelce is cheering on his Philadelphia Eagles in their NFC Championship Game showdown against the Washington Commanders. The recently retired center went to Lincoln Financial Field to support his former team as his brother, Travis Kelce, looks to steer the Kansas City Chiefs to their third straight Super Bowl with a win over the Buffalo Bills.
The AFC Division Round marked Kansas City’s 12th single-digit triumph this year. Some fans will argue the team’s luck in close games will eventually expire, but Jason believes the Chiefs are skilled to strive in those high-pressure situations.
On ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, the older Kelce explained how the Chiefs keep winning tight games. And no, it’s not because the officials are conspiring to fix games.
“The more you have that experience, the more comfortable you are,” Kelce said (h/t Sports Illustrated). “Especially for them, they’ve executed so well in those. And it starts with Andy Reid and Pat Mahomes. Patrick is so good in these situations. He’s so good off the cuff and operating these two-minute, crucial situations.”
Mahomes and Travis Kelce once again flourished in a major moment. They connected for 117 yards and a record-setting 18th postseason touchdown in a 23-14 win over the Houston Texans.
“[Mahomes] and Travis have this weird … this ability to be connected even though they’re not on the same page or doing something different from what the play was called,” Jason said. “That allows them to find a way to get it done.”
Whether it’s a key stop or a blocked field goal, the Chiefs keep prevailing with their backs against the wall.
“They’re finding ways to extend it, whether it’s special teams, or on offense, or on defense,” Jason said. “They feel really confident in these situations that they’re going to find a way. I think when that confidence is there, and when you have experienced players who have been there before, you tend to get it done at a high level.”
The Chiefs have insisted they’re not thinking about becoming the first NFL team to ever three-peat. Jason explained that they’re operating that way because each year’s team is different, but he joked that Travis often tells white lies.
“Everybody knows it’s also in the back of their mind that they have a chance to do something really, really special.”
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