The Kansas City Chiefs needed to find a way to get Travis Kelce going, as he went almost half of the 2024 season without a touchdown reception. Luckily for the Chiefs, a very beatable Las Vegas Raiders team with some injuries on the defensive side of the ball represented a perfect "get-right game" for Kelce.
The Raiders and Chiefs faced off on "National Tight End Day," meaning this recently created cause for celebration pitted Kelce against much-hyped Raiders rookie Brock Bowers. With Kelce on the back-nine of his career, Bowers is one of many looking to seize his title of best tight end in football.
While both Bowers and Kelce managed to put together some solid efforts, it was No. 87 who managed to come out on top in both the score and when comparing individual counting stats. While Bowers started off strong, he finished this game with just five catches for 58 yards.
Kelce, meanwhile, has his strongest game of the season. The object of Taylor Swift's affection managed to pile up 10 catches for 90 yards while finding his vacation home in the Las Vegas end zone once more. These two are both great players, but the master has beaten the protege here.
Kelce to Jack Jones after his first down catch.
— how bout those CHIEFS (@hbtCHIEFS) October 27, 2024
"After all that talk, man." 💀
Chiefs' Travis Kelce outduels Raiders' Brock Bowers on "National Tight End Day"
The acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins seems to have done wonders for Kelce. While Hopkins has just two catches, the threat of what he brings to the table made the Raiders back off No. 87 in the passing game. Patrick Mahomes, who crossed 30,000 career passing yards, took advantage early and often.
If there is a downside to this game, which pushed Kansas City to 7-0 on the season, it's the fact that Bowers showed that he is going to be a major weapon for the Raiders going forward. After years of having an elite tight end, Kansas City will have to contend with yet another in the division.
However, the Chiefs have to be thrilled that Kelce proved to still be his old self, at least for one game. As the playoffs get closer, Kansas City's still-thin wide receiver room will not be good enough to compete with other elite teams unless Kelce is able to keep the chains moving.
Beating the Raiders is sweet. Beating them after Jack Jones' trash talk is even better. Beating them convincingly while Kelce outshines Bowers on National Tight End Day makes this a banner day for Kansas City.