The KC Chiefs’ two main playmakers — Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce — had themselves a game against the Buccaneers in Week 12 and they’ve continued to put up big numbers since then.
When the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12 by a score of 27-24, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce were two of the big reasons as to why. The Chiefs got out to a 17-3 lead, only to squander it in the second half and the game came down to the wire, something Chiefs Kingdom has gotten used to during the course of the season.
Hill in particular had a monster game, totaling over 200 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. The Buccaneers managed to slow him down in the second half, but he finished the game with 13 receptions for 269 yards and three trips into the end zone.
Kelce’s numbers are minuscule in comparison, but he still had a terrific game, grabbing eight receptions for 82 yards. Kelce might not have found the end zone, but he was open whenever Patrick Mahomes needed him open and that proved pivotal when the final whistle blew.
Since that game, however, both of the KC Chiefs’ biggest weapons have continued to put up huge numbers.
In the six games Kelce has appeared in since that Week 12 victory, he’s totaled over 100 yards receiving in four of them while Hill has had two games with over 100 yards. Touchdown wise, that game against Tampa Bay was actually the last time Kelce hasn’t had a touchdown during a game, as he’s recorded at least one in his last six games (he had two in the AFC Championship Game) while Hill has had two touchdowns since then.
Kelce’s numbers have been better throughout this recent run, but Hill has still been incredible. His two games where he had over 100 yards receiving were in the playoffs, which is the best possible time for those kinds of performances to take place. Hopefully, he has another big outing left in him for the Super Bowl on Sunday.
People credit the Chiefs’ success to Mahomes, but the fact of the matter is that he has one of the best wide receivers in the league and the best tight end in the NFL. As long as these two continue to play at a high level, it’s going to be very tricky for the Buccaneers to limit them in Super Bowl LV. We saw how easily Hill exposed them in the first quarter, so here’s to hoping for a repeat performance.