Travis Kelce Shuts Down Chiefs-Bengals Playoff Sabotage Accusations
The NFL’s Week 18 was full of surprises, with the Kansas City Chiefs resting their star players and losing 38-0 to the Denver Broncos. This unexpected result, combined with the Cincinnati Bengals’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, left Bengals fans and some analysts speculating that the Chiefs deliberately sabotaged the Bengals’ playoff chances. The narrative stems from Joe Burrow’s 3-2 career record against the Chiefs, suggesting Kansas City might have been avoiding a postseason showdown with Cincinnati.
On the latest episode of his New Heights podcast, Travis Kelce dismissed these claims in no uncertain terms. “I ain’t scared of fing nobody,” the star tight end said. “I wanted them in the playoffs. I want to slay every dragon one by one like Mortal Kombat. I’ll go through every fing one of them.” Kelce’s fiery remarks made it clear that the Chiefs have no interest in avoiding competition and thrive on facing the league’s best teams, regardless of their reputation or record.
Kelce expressed his respect for the Bengals, calling them a “fun a** team” to watch in the latter part of the season. He lamented their absence in the playoffs, noting it would have added excitement to an already thrilling postseason. “It’s a shame they didn’t make it. The playoffs would’ve been that much more fun and crazier with them in it,” Kelce stated. The Chiefs’ loss, though disappointing, was not a strategic maneuver to eliminate a potential rival but rather a decision to prioritize the health of their players for the deeper playoff run ahead.
As the playoffs begin, the Chiefs are in a strong position, resting during Wild Card Weekend before entering the Divisional Round. They’ll face one of the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Denver Broncos, depending on the outcomes of Wild Card matchups. Despite the chatter, Kansas City remains focused on their quest for another Super Bowl and welcomes any challenge that comes their way.
For the Bengals, the offseason is now a time to regroup. With stars like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins leading their roster, the team will look to reinforce their defense and come back stronger next year. While the controversy surrounding the Chiefs’ loss may linger, the focus shifts to the future for both teams—one fighting for playoff glory and the other aiming for redemption next season.