Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has addressed accusations that his team deliberately lost their Week 18 game to keep the Cincinnati Bengals out of the playoffs. Social media buzz fueled these speculations, but Kelce’s fiery response shut down the rumors with conviction.
The Game That Sparked Controversy
In the final week of the NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals needed several outcomes to fall their way to secure a playoff spot. After a decisive victory against the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals needed a Miami Dolphins loss and a Chiefs win over the Denver Broncos. While the New York Jets defeated the Dolphins, the Chiefs, resting most of their starters, fell to the Broncos in a shocking 38-0 loss.
The loss secured Denver’s playoff position and eliminated Cincinnati, despite the Bengals finishing strong with a 9-8 record and boasting league-leading players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson.
Kelce: “I Ain’t Scared of Nobody”
On his podcast New Heights, which he co-hosts with brother Jason Kelce, Travis vehemently denied any intentional loss. “I ain’t scared of fking nobody,” Kelce declared. “I wanted [the Bengals] in the fking playoffs. I want to slay every dragon one by one, like Mortal Kombat.”
Kelce dismissed the notion of seeking easier playoff matchups, emphasizing his competitive nature. “AFC, NFC, give me all of them, Mortal Kombat-style. I’ll go through every … one of them. I ain’t scared of a single soul, man,” he asserted.
Bengals Players Respond
Not everyone bought Kelce’s defense. Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt called his comments “cap” on Instagram, indicating disbelief. Cincinnati has a history of clashing with Kansas City in high-stakes games. In 2022, the Bengals defeated the Chiefs en route to the Super Bowl, sparking the nickname “Burrowhead” for Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.
Kelce fired back at the moniker after the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Bengals in a playoff rematch the following year. “‘Burrowhead,’ my a**. It’s Mahomes’ house!” Kelce retorted after the win.
Kelce’s Love for Competition
Kelce’s comments on New Heights underscored his respect for Cincinnati. “I’ll play the [Bengals] at the Walmart parking lot,” he said. “I don’t give a sh*t. … The Bengals were a fun-ass team to watch there towards the end of the season. … 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.”
The Chiefs’ Playoff Charge
With the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Chiefs earned a first-round playoff bye. Their postseason journey toward a potential third consecutive Super Bowl title begins next week. For Kelce, every matchup is an opportunity to face the best.
“I love competing against the greatest,” Kelce stated, highlighting his unrelenting desire to prove himself and his team.
Travis Kelce’s passion for the game and commitment to competition make him a leader in the NFL. Whether it’s at Arrowhead Stadium or a parking lot, his message is clear: the Chiefs are ready to face any challenge head-on.
