Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has flatly denied allegations that the team deliberately lost its Week 18 game to prevent the Cincinnati Bengals from reaching the playoffs.
Bengals’ playoff hopes dashed
Cincinnati’s playoff hopes were alive entering the final week, contingent on two results: a Kansas City win over the Denver Broncos and a loss for the Miami Dolphins. While the New York Jets delivered by defeating the Dolphins, the Chiefs, resting many of their starters, fell to the Broncos 38-0.
The loss secured Denver the AFC’s final playoff spot, leaving the Bengals, who finished the season with a 9-8 record and five consecutive wins, on the outside looking in.
Kelce shuts down speculation
Speaking on the “New Heights” podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce, the Chiefs tight end dismissed the idea that Kansas City threw the game to avoid facing Cincinnati in the playoffs.
“I ain’t scared of f**king nobody,” Kelce said. “I wanted (the Bengals) in the f**king playoffs. I want to slay every dragon one by one, like Mortal Kombat. I don’t even want this to be like we play the lowest seed. Just give me the best teams.”
A storied rivalry
The Chiefs and Bengals have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years, marked by epic postseason battles and high-stakes quarterback showdowns between Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. Cincinnati beat Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium during the 2022 playoffs en route to a Super Bowl appearance, prompting Bengals players to dub the stadium “Burrowhead.”
Kelce later fired back after the Chiefs’ victory over the Bengals in the 2023 postseason, asserting, “‘Burrowhead,’ my a**. It’s Mahomes’ house!”
Kelce’s challenge to the Bengals
Kelce reiterated his competitive spirit, declaring that he would face the Bengals anytime, anywhere.
“I’ll play the (Bengals) at the Walmart parking lot,” he said. “I don’t give a sh*t. We can have our own game in the offseason where we really duke it out.”
Kelce acknowledged the Bengals’ strong finish to the season, including league-leading performances from Joe Burrow (passing), Ja’Marr Chase (receiving), and Trey Hendrickson (sacks).
“It’s a shame they didn’t make it in the playoffs because they would have made the playoffs that much crazier and that much more fun,” he said.
Chiefs’ playoff outlook
With the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Chiefs earned a first-round bye and are set to begin their postseason push for a third consecutive Super Bowl title next week.
