February 15, 2025
The Chiefs move closer to three-peat in the Super Bowl, but the Lions are eliminated

The Chiefs move closer to three-peat in the Super Bowl, but the Lions are eliminated

Travis Kelce celebrates after scoring a touchdown for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Houston Texans

Travis Kelce (20) is second on the all-time list of postseason touchdown catches, behind only Jerry Rice (22). [Reuters]

The Kansas City Chiefs moved one step closer to an unprecedented three-peat, while Washington defeated the Detroit Lions in a thriller in the NFL playoffs.

As the No. 1 seed in each conference, Kansas City and Detroit received a bye into the second week of the postseason, the Divisional Round.

The Chiefs returned to play on Saturday with a 23-14 home win over the Houston Texans, but a historic season for the Lions ended in surprise as they were defeated 45-31 at home by the NFC sixth-seeded Commanders .

After a 4-13 record last season, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led Washington to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1992 as the Redskins, as they were once known, claimed their third Super Bowl victory.

Kansas City kept alive its hopes of becoming the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have reached the NFL championship game four times in the last five years and won it three times.

Last season, they became the first team to win two straight Super Bowls since Tom Brady’s New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005, and they’re just one win away from the big game again.

The Chiefs will play their seventh straight AFC Championship Game next week against the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills, while the Commanders will visit the Philadelphia Eagles or Los Angeles Rams.

The final games of the divisional round will be played on Sunday.

After the shootout in the second quarter, the commanders prevail

Detroit was the NFL’s leading scorer this season and set a number of franchise records, including a 15-2 season.

Washington was the fifth-highest scorer, and after a first-quarter touchdown by Jahmyr Gibbs for Detroit, the two teams delivered a thrilling second quarter.

Brian Robinson Jr.’s score for Washington sparked a streak of six touchdowns and 42 points in just over nine minutes – making it the highest-scoring quarter in playoff history.

Lions tight end Sam LaPorta made a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone before Terry McLaurin took a screen pass from Daniels and burst through a gap for a 58-yard score.

Two plays later, Quan Martin returned an interception for a 40-yard touchdown, giving Washington a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff had to be assessed after being caught with a block on that play, and although backup Teddy Bridgewater stepped in on the next drive, the Lions launched an exciting running play that featured Jameson Williams circling the outside following blockers, for a 61-yard score.

A Zach Ertz touchdown gave Washington a 31-21 halftime lead after the Lions turned the ball over three times.

Gibbs’ second touchdown in the third quarter narrowed the gap, but Robinson and Jeremy McNichols both came in from one yard out in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

Detroit ultimately had five turnovers, including three interceptions, while Washington had none. Daniels was not sacked and received two touchdowns and 299 yards to continue his fine rookie season.

Swift & Clark show support for the Chiefs

Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark watch the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston TexansTaylor Swift and Caitlin Clark watch the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans

Caitlin Clark (center) sat between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s father Ed during the second half [Getty Images]

Taylor Swift was at a chilly Arrowhead Stadium to watch her partner Travis Kelce play for Kansas City, and WNBA star Caitlin Clark, a lifelong Chiefs fan, was a guest in Swift’s suite.

Like Patrick Mahomes, Kelce was a key figure in Kansas City’s dynasty. The 35-year-old tight end is saving his best for the playoffs, securing the win early in the fourth quarter with his 20th touchdown catch of the postseason – behind only Jerry Rice (22) all-time. Time list.

The Chiefs got off to a flying start when Nikko Remigio returned the kickoff 63 yards and gave them a 6-3 lead after three field goals in the first quarter.

Then Mahomes found Kelce up the middle and he ran for a 49-yard gain, giving running back Kareem Hunt a chance to punch in from one yard out and give Kansas City a 13-6 halftime lead.

Houston’s Joe Mixon ran from 13 yards out to make it 13-12 in the third quarter, but the Chiefs increased their lead on the next drive.

Mahomes hit Kelce three times before showing off his athleticism by making an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kelce — while leaning forward at a 45-degree angle.

Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed two chances to tie the Texans, firing a field goal wide at 6-3 and narrowly missing an extra-point attempt at 13-12.

His dismal day continued when a late field goal was blocked before the Chiefs conceded a safety at the death, allowing Kelce to finish with 117 receiving yards – his highest total of the season.

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