Travis Kelce Puts the NFL on Notice After Chiefs' Dominant 31-0 Win Over Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs embarrassed the Las Vegas Raiders 31-0 in Week 7. Kansas City’s defense allowed three first downs Sunday, October 29, the fewest in franchise history.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Co. registered 30 first downs while the Raiders’ offense recorded a total of 30 plays. That’s the fewest amount of plays run by any team in a single game since 2000, per CBS Sports.
Mahomes thrived with the team’s “Big 3” all active for the first time: Rashee Rice, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, and Xavier Worthy.
Mahomes completed 26-of-35 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns, along with four carries for 28 yards in three quarters. Rice, in his first game back since Week 4 of last season, caught seven passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 routes.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce saw a dip in targets with a healthy trio of wide receivers in the mix, but still caught three of his passes for 54 yards. Thus far this season, Kelce has rarely spoken to the media after a game. Fans usually have to wait until he drops a new episode of his “New Heights” podcast for his take on the team’s performance.
However, the 35-year-old All-Pro spoke to numerous outlets after defeating the Raiders and sent a clear message on the Chiefs’ future.
Travis Kelce Called Chiefs’ Performance Against The Raiders ‘Just A Glimpse’ Of What’s To Come
The 10-time Pro Bowler loved what he saw on offense, defense, and special teams. “Everyone played at a high level and for each other,” Kelce told KSHB 41. “The sideline was electric. When we play with energy like this, we’re out there making plays individually like that, it’s a fun team to play with.”
Kelce also made it clear it wasn’t just a one-off. After a rough 0-2 start to the season, they are 4-3 and firing on all cylinders.
“I think it’s just a glimpse of what you’re going to see from here on out,” he told Sports Radio 810. “We’re going to get more and more in sync having the fun gambit, full arsenal. As long as we all keep playing unselfish and getting excited for each other — sky’s the limit.”
Travis Kelce Underscored What Makes Patrick Mahomes The Best QB
Kelce and Mahomes are best friends off the field; they even opened a new restaurant together called 1587 Prime. They also share the deepest respect for one another on the field. Kelce offered Mahomes high praise as a team leader after defeating the Raiders.
“He’s just always going to make sure that he’s doing what he can to get better,” Kelce told KC Sports Network. “And that’s why I love playing with him. That’s why this team is going to keep getting better throughout the year. We all have that mentality, day in and day out. Week in and week out.
“It’s one of those things where you see Pat, and that sets the tempo. It never blows me away how good that guy can be and how prepared he always is.”
How Trey Hendrickson's trade value can impact Lions' shot at another edge rusher
While the trade market has begun to heat up, the Detroit Lions are finding their name thrown into the ring more and more in relation to some potentially available pass rushers.
One name that has been floated recently by ESPN is Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. The Dolphins are, for lack of better words, floundering. Tua Tagovailoa hasn't looked the same since his numerous head injuries suffered back in 2024, and the teams' defense has been the easiest to run on in the NFL.
Phillips is still promising at only 26 years old. In a new environment, he could thrive, especially if he's second fiddle to Aidan Hutchinson and with far less pressure to do it all at the line of scrimmage.
While that might make his price decrease a bit for the Lions, it sure seems like the fire sale involving another edge rusher - Trey Hendrickson - might jack up the price for any edge rusher available on the trade market this November.
How Hendrickson could impact Lions' trade deadline without being their target
Hendrickson is likely to command at minimum a second round pick, but he could likely go for a first. Micah Parsons was dealt for two first rounders prior to the season beginning, and he's a lot more injury prone at this point in his career than Hendrickson.
If Hendrickson were to be shopped at this price, that means teams that can't match exactly what the Cincinnati Bengals are asking for can begin to jack up their own prices. Miami, who is likely seeking a haul of draft picks at the deadline this year to initiate a total rebuild, would probably ask Detroit for a haul of at least a third rounder for Phillips.
This is a mighty price to pay for Phillips, who could walk in 2026. This is yet another example of who the Lions shouldn't be aiming for given the number of extensions they need to dole out between now and 2026. Phillips, and Hendrickson for that matter, are probably out of the question for the Lions for these reasons.
They're far more likely to go for a less pick costly option on defense to trade for on the market ahead of the deadline, and ideally, someone who would be controlled through 2026. Phillips' rising cost is just not worth adjusting the budget for, if you're general manager Brad Holmes.
