TAYLOR SWIFT'S CHANGE IN APPEARANCE TURNS HEADS AFTER TRAVIS KELCE WEDDING

Getty

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce spoke to reporters for the first time as a married man on Day 13 of training camp. Kelce tied the knot with Taylor Swift in front of over 1,000 guests at Madison Square Garden on July 3.

“It was a fun offseason, man,” Kelce said. “Wedding was the best night of my life, and I appreciate everybody who came out and celebrated and, you know, had fun with us. And yeah, that’s about all I really got from that night. It was a crazy night. It was it was full of a lot of celebration, but it’s football, baby.”

The 36-year-old veteran, entering his 14th season in the NFL, made it clear his focus was on football. “I still got a lot of love for this game,” he said. “You know, I still think I can go out and play at a high level, and I want to go out there and prove to myself that I could play at a better level than I did last year.

“I think that’s probably the biggest thing for me is making sure that I’m accountable for the guys in this room and every single play that I’m out there.”

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce called his wedding to Taylor Swift ‘the best night of my life.’

Swift has kept an extremely low profile since marrying Kelce. One week after Kelce and Swift tied the knot, they jetted off to the opposite coast to attend New York Giants wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster and Laura Kruk’s wedding in Southern California. This outing marked the famous couple’s first public appearance as husband and wife, during which Swift proudly showed off her new wedding ring.

While Kelce continues working hard at practice, the 14-time Grammy winner made her first solo appearance since the wedding.

Fans Gushed Over Taylor Swift’s Appearing to Have a New Haircut in London

While Kelce caused a stir with the return of his training camp facial hair, it appears Swift also made an adjustment to her usual look. Photographed while exiting Annabel’s, a private club in London, fans gushed over her shorter hair.

One fan commented on X, “DID SHE CUT HER HAIR?!? IT LOOKS SO SHORT LIKE IM GETTING 1989 VIBES!” A Swiftie added, “The hair is short omg.” One X user posted, “her hair is so short omg.”

Another person wrote, “The dress???? The hair?? Oh Taylor you are stunning.”

The 36-year-old wore a lavender Delphine minidress and Aquazzura stilettos, per Page Six.

Taylor Swift Joined Travis Kelce at 1587 Prime on His Off Day

With the Chiefs having Sunday off from practice, Kelce and Swift enjoyed dinner at 1587 Prime on August 8, the restaurant the Chiefs star co-owns with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. A tip to DeuxMoi wrote that they were “under heavy guard.”

Photos shared on X show the pop star sitting at a booth at the steakhouse. The restaurant’s cocktail menu features a nod to the singer with a special drink called “The Alchemy,” the name of a Kelce-inspired song from her album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” The drink, made with vodka, Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao, aronia berry, cranberry, strawberry, lime, and oolong, arrives with a unique fire presentation.

The restaurant at the Loews Hotel in Kansas City.

- Emily Bicks

TRAVIS KELCE STAYING AT KANSAS CHIEFS

 

SON OF KANSAS CITY CHIEFS' ERIC BIENIEMY CHARGED WITH SHOOTING OF MOTHER

Elijah Bieniemy, the son of Kansas City Chiefs assistant Eric Bieniemy, was arrested and charged with shooting his mother in Ashburn, Va., court records show.

The Chiefs said Monday that Mia Bieniemy, who was shot Sunday night at her home, is in stable condition.

Loudoun juvenile and domestic relations district court records show that Elijah Bieniemy, apprehended Monday, faces felony charges of malicious wounding, use of a firearm in a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling, stemming from a Sunday incident.

"Out of respect for their privacy, we won't have a comment at this time," the Chiefs said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them."

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that it is investigating a shooting that occurred Sunday on the 20000 block of Northpark Drive in Ashburn, where Bieniemy owns a home.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting there about 7:32 p.m. EDT Sunday and found a female with multiple gunshot wounds.

Elijah Bieniemy, 27, is being held without bond in the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid also addressed the incident Monday at training camp. He said he found out about it Sunday night. Bieniemy is entering his 12th season working on a staff led by Reid. He served as Chiefs offensive coordinator for a combined six previous season under the veteran head coach.

"Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family," Reid told reporters. "Thoughts and prayers are with them. I can't get into details on it. But things happen sometimes. Eric will work through it. He's got a great support group here as with his family, as needed. And then we'll just let time take care of it from there.

"Mia is stable, which is a plus, and so is Eric Jr., and that's all important."

Reid did not provide a timeline for Bieniemy's potential return. He cited pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck as being more "involved" amid Bieniemy's time away.

Bieniemy had attended Chiefs practice Sunday in St. Joseph, Mo.

- Alex Butler

TAYLOR SWIFT ANNOUNCES ENGAGEMENT WITH TRAVIS KELCE, DEBUTS ESTIMATED $400,000 RING IN RALPH LAUREN DRESS

The 35-year-old Grammy winner started dating the Kansas City Chiefs player in 2023.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

Taylor Swift is set to marry Travis Kelce after two years of dating.

The 35-year-old Grammy-winning artist took to her Instagram on Tuesday afternoon to announce her engagement to the Kansas City Chiefs player alongside a carousel of images from the intimate proposal. “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” her caption read. The news of their engagement comes two years after the couple were first romantically linked.

With the announcement, Swift also unveiled the diamond on her finger. New York-based jeweler Briony Raymond told WWD Swift’s ring appears to be an “elongated antique cushion cut, between six to eight carats, in a vintage-inspired 18k yellow gold mounting with a warmer color laid out diamond.” Raymond estimated the price to be between $250,000 and $400,000, depending on the color.

In the photos, Swift can be seen wearing a black and white striped mid-calf dress by Polo Ralph Lauren, featuring a ruched bodice, paired with strappy brown block heels by Louis Vuitton in a verdant garden. She and Kelce were photographed standing under a vine arch with white, pink and red flowers weaving between the long greenery.

Swift’s makeup was comprised of her everyday combination: winged black eyeliner and red lipstick, only the shade on her lips was a touch more coral. Meanwhile, her nails were painted a pink-nude shade,

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce first started dating in 2023. GC IMAGES

Swift and Kelce seemingly confirmed their relationship in September 2023, when the “Midnights” singer was spotted at one of Kelce’s Chiefs games at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Since then, the two have been publicly supporting one another, both during football season and throughout Swift’s Eras Tour series. The vocalist recently joined Kelce and his older brother, Jason, on the “New Heights” podcast to announce her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

- KALEIGH WERNER

TRAVIS KELCE'S EX-GIRLFRIEND CELEBRATES PHILADELPHIA EAGLES SUPER BOWL WIN ON FIELD

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It was not a great Super Bowl for Kansas City Chiefs legend Travis Kelce.

The Chiefs superstar finished the game with four receptions for 39 yards and was unable to find the end zone. To make matters worse, Taylor Swift was showered with boos upon being shown on video monitors throughout Caesars Superdome.

While Kelce, 35, contemplates retirement, his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, was on the field celebrating with the Eagles.

While Nicole has been adamant that she wasn’t hung up on the Chiefs superstar that she dated publicly for years, it had to feel pretty damn good to be the one celebrating on the field while the Chiefs shook hands and took that long, sad walk back to the locker room. 

During their relationship, she was also vehemently against the WAG (wives and girlfriends) label that is commonly used to describe the significant others of athletes.

“I feel like doctors’ wives don’t call themselves D.A.G.s… You know what I mean?” 

That’s actually a good argument. We’ll give her that one.

Everyone knows that Kelce’s new relationship with Taylor Swift has taken the media by storm. She is consistently shown on social media arriving at the stadium, waving at cameras and heading up to the suite. After damn near every single Chiefs touchdown, she is shown on the broadcast celebrating and hugging Donna Kelce.

Swift, who is from Pennsylvania and grew up an Eagles fan, looked visibly anxious while her hometown team pummeled her boyfriend in the Super Bowl. 

The internet is running with speculation on why Kelce’s ex was there and how she got on the field to celebrate with the Eagles. Nobody really has any concrete theories on why she was there.

To add to the relationship drama, Eagles defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson took some shots at Kelce on Instagram after the Super Bowl, stating that he should have stayed with his ex and made quite the comparison about their appearances.

While the Chiefs conquest for three straight Super Bowls fell hilariously short, Kelce is left contemplating his future in the NFL. While he figures out his future on the gridiron, his past and present relationships are making all of the headlines in the week after the game.

- NICK PEDONE

NFL COACHES WITH THE MOST SUPER BOWL WINS

 

SERENA WILLIAMS PERFORMS WITH KENDRICK LAMAR AT SUPER BOWL LIX HALFTIME SHOW

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka shouted out the 23-time Grand Slam champion, who joined Kendrick on stage for his Grammy-winning “Not Like Us.”

Better not speak on Serena!

Serena Williams made an incredible cameo at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, joining headline performer Kendrick Lamar to dance to “Not Like Us” at the Caesars Superdome Sunday night.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who revealed plans to be at the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the day, had gotten a lyrical shoutout in the Grammy Award-winning hit, as the subject was about Williams’ reported ex-boyfriend Drake.

Joining the dancers on stage, Serena busted out her signature moves reminiscent of her 2012 Olympic moment at the London Summer Games, the former world No. 1 referencing it in a video posted to social media later:

“Man, I did not Crip Walk like that at Wimbledon,” she said before adding with a scream. “Ooh, I would have been FIIIIIINED!”

Williams’ performance got rave reviews from her fellow players, Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff—both of whom were proudly Team Kendrick when asked about the Drake feud at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia last spring—and Christopher Eubanks all shouting out the future Hall of Famer on X:

Though the Kansas City Chiefs, also known by Serena’s daughter Olympia as “Taylor Swift’s team,” did not ultimately win a third straight Super Bowl title, Williams certainly threw down the gauntlet for future Halftime Show cameos.

- David Kane

JORDAN BRAND PAYS TRIBUTE TO JALEN HURTS AFTER SUPER BOWL WIN WITH ROUSING COMMERCIAL

 

Jalen Hurts rocked a pair of Air Jordan 1 “Unbannable” cleats on Sunday during pregame warmups.

After Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in New Orleans, the Jordan brand returned the favor with a commercial which will leave everyone on their feet and applauding.

Entitled “Love, Hurts,” the 30-second spot pays homage to the former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback.

“Some people want to hate everything about Jalen Hurts.

“Hate that he’s a winning quarterback. Hate that he’s taken the Eagles to the championship game twice in three years. Hate that he’s a complete athlete.

“And now, they can hate that he’s a champion.”

On Sunday, Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score on a tush push to earn Super Bowl MVP honors, and Vic Fangio’s defense was so dominant that the Eagles didn’t need much from Saquon Barkley.

He went 17 for 22 for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 72 yards and a touchdown that avenged a Super Bowl loss two years ago against Kansas City.

Hurts was outstanding in that game, throwing for 304 yards and a TD and rushing for 70 yards and three more scores but could only watch as Harrison Butker kicked a go-ahead field goal with 8 seconds left for a 38-35 win.

Hurts turned that year into a $255 million, five-year contract the following offseason.

According to The Associated Press, Hurts is now just the fourth quarterback ever to lose his first Super Bowl start and go on to win one as a starter later in his career, joining Hall of Famers John Elway, Bob Griese and Len Dawson.

- Mark Heim | mheim@al.com

DONALD TRUMP LEAVES SUPER BOWL LIX EARLY AFTER PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SUFFER EARLY BLOWOUT

President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One to Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on February 7, 2025. Trump is expected to stay at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach before traveling to New Orleans on Sunday for the Super Bowl.

US President Donald Trump reportedly left the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles when the score was 34-0. Trump had already predicted that the Chiefs would win the game and also came out to show his support and admiration for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his family.

However, things didn’t go as most people expected and predicted with the Chiefs losing embarrassingly to the Eagles with a final score of 40-22. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes managed to score three touchdowns in that game, while passing for 257 yards, completing 21 passes out of 32 attempts, while managing a pair of interceptions.

On the Eagles’ side, quarterback Jalen Hurts attempted 22 passes and completed 17 of them for 221 yards, scoring two touchdowns, with a solo interception. Hurts also led the team on the ground with 11 carries for 72 yards, with a single TD, while DeVonta Smith took charge of the defense with four receptions for 69 yards, scoring once.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump attend Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Newly elected US President Donald Trump was the first active president to attend a Super Bowl, making history in the country. Trump also gave an interview with Fox News during the pre-show, and discussed a number of topics related to his plans for the country.

Donald Trump Was Cheered Loudly By Crowd During Super Bowl

On another note, US President Donald Trump easily became everyone’s favorite president as the crowd cheered loudly for him during the national anthem. As Jon Batiste performed the national anthem before the game could commence, the camera panned on President Trump and the crowd reacted with a loud cheer.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump waves as he walks on the field before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

While Trump was certainly the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, he is definitely no stranger to the nail-biting game. Even during his presidential campaign last year, Trump was seen at an NFL game in Pittsburgh.

In the comments section of the video where the crowd can be seen cheering for President Trump, more and more fans poured out their admiration and praise for him. Fans of the president commented that they love him, while some of them went on to remark that the president of the United States was certainly trying his best for the common people of America and not exactly the elite class.

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump during the playing of the national anthem in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jon Batiste brought some jazz influence into the national anthem which was appreciated by the crowd. However, the real star of the game was US President Donald Trump who showed up to support and cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs. 

- Ernest Leo Hernandez

EAGLES RIDE DOMINANT DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE TO DRUB CHIEFS IN SUPER BOWL LIX

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

NEW ORLEANS - Throughout the long media buildup to Super Bowl LIX, virtually all analysts and prognosticators were saying the same thing: The Philadelphia Eagles are the better team … but you can never bet against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. How can the Eagles stop that Mahomes magic?

Breaking news: There was no magic.

No magic, and no Super Bowl three-peat, as the Eagles thoroughly dismantled the two-time defending champions, 40-22, to capture the franchise's second Vince Lombardi Trophy.

And while the margin of victory was 18 points, it wasn't even that close.

The crowd of 65,719 at Caesars Superdome was so heavily draped in Eagles green, it might as well have been a home game for Philadelphia. And the "home" team didn't disappoint. After the first few possessions, the game was never really in doubt.

"What a lesson to the entire world about what good teamwork does," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said during the trophy presentation. "We have selfless guys. We have guys that don't let each other down. We have guys that fight for each other, that play hurt for each other. They love each other.

"Love is a strong thing. It takes a lot of work to develop that. These guys are the best team … in the greatest team sport there is."

If you didn't know the score and were told that Eagles running back Saquon Barkley - who this season became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards - would have 12 carries for a mere 31 yards at halftime, and that quarterback Jalen Hurts would have a modest 123 passing yards, you might have thought the Chiefs were winning. At the very least, it had to be close, right?

Wrong.

Barkley and Hurts didn't have to do much, because the Eagles defense - which led the NFL in total defense in 2024 - was the story.

The Chiefs could muster just two first downs in the first half and were 0-for-7 on third down. Worse, Mahomes threw a pair of picks - one that rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean returned 38 yards for his first career NFL touchdown and another that Zach Baun picked off at the Chiefs' 14-yard line, setting up a touchdown pass from Hurts to A.J. Brown.

DeJean's touchdown capped what might have been the greatest three-play stretch a defense has ever had in the Super Bowl.

After Jake Elliott's 48-yard field goal gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead, Kansas City took over at its own 30-yard line. Here's what happened next:

First-and-10 at the 30: Mahomes is immediately sacked by Josh Sweat for a loss of five.

Second-and-15 at the 25: Mahomes is smothered by Sweat and Jalux Hunt for a 1-yard loss.

Third-and-16 at the 24: Mahomes finally had some time to pass. But rolling to his right, he threw an intermediate pass that was intercepted DeJean - who, like Barkley, was celebrating his birthday on Sunday. The 22-year-old took it to the house to give the Eagles a 17-0 lead.

"Three big plays in a row," said Sweat. "It's just that day."

By the time the production crew began setting up the field for Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, Philadelphia had a 24-0 lead and the Eagles defense had orchestrated perhaps the most dominant half of football in Super Bowl history.

"I take ownership of this loss more than probably any loss in my entire career," said Mahomes. "I put us in a bad spot."

A third-quarter field goal from Elliott made it 27-0 and the Chiefs offense continued to be smothered by coordinator Vic Fangio's defense. With 5:18 left in the third, Hurts hit DeVonta Smith for a 46-yard touchdown. That score capped an MVP performance for Hurts, who completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two TD passes. He added another 72 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown - giving him seven total touchdowns accounted for in two career Super Bowls.

With the Eagles up 34-0 late in the third quarter, about the only drama left was to see if the Eagles could pull off the first shutout in Super Bowl history. It wasn't to be. Mahomes ended up throwing three touchdown passes in the final 16 minutes of the game - two to rookie receiver Xavier Worthy, who finished with eight catches for 157 yards - and one to DeAndre Hopkins. But it was too little too late.

The Eagles defense finished with six sacks and 14 pressures.

"We just followed the gameplan," said Sweat, who had 2.5 sacks. "We just said, ‘Let's play our game, take care of the guy next to us, somebody's gonna make the play.' Once you get it going, nothing can go wrong."

Amazingly, the Eagles didn't call a single blitz all game.

"It allows the guys to cover on the back end," said Sweat. "You [don't have] to add the extra man to do that. It's just big ups to the guys out there. … It gives us a lot of pride to get it done with a four-man rush."

Barkley ended the game with 25 attempts for 57 yards, adding another 40 yards receiving. The Chiefs kept their streak alive - they still haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in the postseason since 2019 - but Barkley did surpass Hall of Famer Terrell Davis' record for the most rushing yards in a season, including the playoffs.

Barkley, who joins Davis as the only players in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards and win the Super Bowl in the same season, reflected on his triumphant first year in Philadelphia.

"I looked to my left, looked to my right, and you see all the Pro Bowlers and all the All-Pros on that roster," Barkley said, recalling his first practice as an Eagle. "On that offense, the defense. You know, I ain't gonna lie, I didn't know we were going to have the number one defense. It kind of makes sense now, because with all the talent that we had, they gave us hell in practice and camp."

Probably not as much hell as they gave the Chiefs Sunday night.

Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

- Craig Ellenport, Athlon Sports

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: SULER BOWL 59 MAY BE THE LAST GAME TRAVIS KELCE PLAYS IN NFL (REPORT)

Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes will try to win their fourth Super Bowl championship together on Sunday.
 

The Kansas City Chiefs have the chance to make NFL history on Sunday. If they win Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, they will become the first team of the Super Bowl era to win three consecutive titles. It is important to note, though, that they would not be the first team to be crown champions of the NFL three consecutive times.

That honor, of course, goes to the Green Bay Packers, who did it twice. They won the league title in each season from 1929-1931 and again from 1965-1967, a stretch that included victories in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II.

But while a victory over the Eagles in New Orleans on Sunday would add to the Chiefs’ legacy, it could also mark the end of a Hall of Fame career.

Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce May Retire if He Wins Super Bowl LIX

Super Bowl 57: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passes the the Lombardi Trophy to Travis Kelce after winning the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on Feb 12, 2023.
 

There is no doubt that Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will be a first ballot Hall of Famer as soon as he becomes eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A ten-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro, he has already won three Super Bowl titles with Kansas City, making him the most decorated tight end of all time.

Kelce’s 1,004 career receptions are the most among active NFL players and rank rank fourth all-time. Only Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and Jason Witten (1,228) have more than him among tight ends.

His 12,151 receiving yards are 24th in NFL history, with only Gonzalez (15,127) and Witten (13,046) ahead of him among tight ends as well.

Kelce’s 77 career touchdown receptions are 37th all-time, with only Gonzalez (111) and Jimmy Graham (89) ahead of him among tight ends.

And while Kelce has stated that he feels he could play for a number of years beyond this season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that sources close to Kelce are not so sure that he wants to:

“And while the star player has spoken glowingly about his situation and how much football he no doubt still has in him, sources say Kelce still hasn’t made up his mind about whether or not he’ll play in 2025.

“It is, in fact, possible that Super Bowl LIX on Sunday is the final game of Kelce’s 12-year professional career.

“Kelce, who is in the conversation for greatest tight end to ever play in the NFL, is expected to take time after the Super Bowl, consider his future and make a decision before free agency, which officially begins March 12.

“Sources informed of his thinking say Kelce’s decision could hinge on the results of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Per Rapoport, if Kansas City wins Super Bowl LIX, Kelce could decide to call it a career and ride off into the sunset after having won his third consecutive Super Bowl, and fourth overall. However, a loss to Philadelphia might light a fire under him and inspire him to return in 2025 to chase one more title with the Chiefs.

 - Robin M Adams

CHIEFS, BILLS SET AFC TITLE GAME RECORD WITH 57.4M VIEWERS

Mahomes vs. Allen is the gift that keeps giving for CBS and the NFL, as their latest scrap notched an all-time ratings high.
PHOTO BY JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES

After conspiring to deliver the biggest regular-season ratings for a Sunday NFL game this season, the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs reconvened last weekend for what would prove to be the most-watched AFC championship game on the books.

According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, Kansas City’s 32-29 win over the Bills in the conference title tilt averaged 57.4 million viewers on CBS, edging last year’s short-lived record (55.5 million, Chiefs-Ravens). The nail-biter in Arrowhead Stadium now stands as the third-biggest NFL semifinal of the modern Nielsen era, trailing only the 2010 NFC championship game (Vikings-Saints, 57.9 million viewers) and the 2012 Giants-49ers broadcast (57.6 million), both of which aired on Fox in a time before out-of-home impressions sweetened the TV ratings pot.

The rivalry between two of the league’s most electrifying quarterbacks has been a godsend for CBS ever since Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes first met up in the 2021 AFC championship game. While that Chiefs’ 38-24 victory averaged a respectable 41.8 million viewers, that broadcast was only the beginning, as the following year saw the two foes scare up 42.7 million viewers in the divisional round, an overtime-enhanced figure that would be topped two years later in another divisional-round showstopper (50.4 million).

In a tune-up for Sunday’s playoff clash, the Bills and Chiefs teamed up in Week 11 to deliver the strongest non-Thanksgiving numbers of the regular season, as Buffalo handed KC its first loss of the 2024-25 campaign in front of a national TV audience of 31.1 million viewers.

While the class of the AFC had America on the edge of its collective seat during the primetime window, the early Commanders-Eagles game on Fox suffered from a comparable lack of suspense. Philly’s 55-23 deconstruction of Washington averaged 44.2 million viewers, marking the NFC’s lowest turnout since the Rams-Saints 2019 title game drew 44.1 million. Oddly enough, that earlier game was a relative barnburner, as Los Angeles fought back from a 13-0 deficit before matters were settled by a 57-yard field goal in overtime.

Per Nielsen, 58% of all U.S. TVs that were in use while the Commanders-Eagles game was underway were tuned to Fox.

Fox faced particularly rough comps with last season’s analogous broadcast, which featured the Detroit Lions’ first trip to the NFC championship game in 32 years. The Lions’ quixotic quest for a Super Bowl date scared up 56.7 million viewers, and now stands as the fourth most-watched Championship Sunday on record.

All told, deliveries for the 12 NFL playoff games were down 8% versus last season’s lineup, as the league’s media partners averaged 35 million viewers per window, which works out to a net loss of 3.1 million impressions per game. The league’s regular-season ratings held up better, with slippage confined to a 2% dip.

Of the top 20 most-watched AFC/NFC championship games on the books, seven were played after Nielsen began blending the out-of-home ratings impressions with its vanilla TV data in the fall of 2020. That more inclusive method of counting the house should give Fox a leg up on Super Sunday; not only have OOH deliveries over the last five years accounted for about 20% of all Super Bowl impressions, but the upcoming Chiefs-Eagles clash is expected to get a further boost care of Nielsen’s expanded OOH panel.

While Nielsen has yet to confirm that it has beefed up its legacy OOH reporting system beyond the 44 media markets it currently monitors, bringing its coverage from approximately 65% of all users to an even 100%, an official announcement is expected to land shortly before Super Bowl LIX kicks off in New Orleans on Feb.

- ANTHONY CRUPI

BILLS FLINCH! | THE BILLS FALL AGAIN TO KC | REX RYAN'S TAKE

 

SUPER BOWL IS SET | NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

 

'DISASTER FROM TEXANS' - DAMIEN WOODY REACTS TO TEXANS LOSS

 

KRIS BOYD SHOVES SPECIAL TEAMS COACH AFTER CHIEFS' MASSIVE KICK RETURN 👀 | ESPN NFL

TAYLOR SWIFT FANS REACT TO NFL'S TRAVIS KELCE ANNOUNCEMENT

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the NFL playoffs with a first-round bye after a 15-2 regular season.

As the Chiefs prepare for a postseason run in search of their third straight Super Bowl title, the NFL's official social media account posted notable news regarding Kelce.

Kelce won the 2024 Nationwide Charity Challenge. Given the honors, Kelce was awarded a $35,000 donation for his foundation, 87 & Running.

According to Karen Davis at Nationwide, 87 & Running is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 used to help disadvantaged youth succeed.

He's now won the Nationwide Charity Challenge two times in the last five years, earning over two million votes in 2024.

SOOO deserved pic.twitter.com/fvtfQiLV4Q

— Tayvis Nation (@tayvisnation) January 8, 2025

After the news of Kelce's charitable winnings, fans of Kelce's girlfriend, Taylor Swift, took to social media to congratulate the Chiefs tight end, mentioning she would be "so proud" of him.

"Swift would be proud," said one fan.

"Thanks taylor swift!" said another fan.

"Congrats Travis!" mentioned one fan.

"Taylors fella?" commented one fan.

"Taylor couldn't be more proud - given the wholesome charitable woman that she appears to be," said one fan.

"Yay!!!! Congrats to Travis and 87 & Running!!!" said another fan.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Aside from his impact off the field, Kelce was also an incredible contributor to the Chiefs' success during the 2024 regular season.

Kelce finished the regular season with three touchdowns and 823 yards on 97 receptions. He led the Chiefs in total receptions and receiving yards.

Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

- Max Escarpio Athlon Sports

FANS TROLL TRAVIS KELCE

CHIEF CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT WITH 'UGLY WIN' OVER RAIDERS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Chiefs secured a playoff spot for the 10th straight season with their 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, but to some of the players, this clinching didn't necessarily feel like the others.

The Chiefs had to go to the wire to outlast the 2-10 Raiders, with the game being decided when Kansas City recovered a Las Vegas fumble with 11 seconds remaining. The Chiefs then ran out the clock with one snap to secure another victory.

They are 11-1, but five of their wins weren't settled until the final snap.

"It's not perfect, and we've had a lot of games this year where we didn't play the way we wanted to play,'' Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie said. "The thing about a championship team is games like this where things aren't perfect. You're thankful that you won, but you know that you've set the standard. And when we have games like this and don't feel like we've played to the standard that we've set, it's always a little disappointing, a little frustrating.''

The Chiefs can clinch a ninth straight AFC West title by beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. They padded their lead over the 9-2 Buffalo Bills -- the lone team to beat them -- for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

They had many anxious moments in getting there. The Chiefs held what looked to be a comfortable 16-3 lead late in the third quarter.

The Raiders put together back-to-back touchdown drives to take the lead. The Chiefs grabbed it back with a field goal, only to see the Raiders reach the edge of field goal range at the Kansas City 32-yard-line when they fumbled in what turned out to be their eighth straight loss.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws to running back Isiah Pacheco (10).
Denny Medley, Imagn Images

"When you clinch a playoff spot, that's your first goal, to get into the playoffs and give yourself a chance to go for that Super Bowl,'' quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. "But we know we have a long ways to go. We got to continue to work to get better, to continue to be a better football team.

"It keeps you hungry. You're not satisfied with where we're at even though we're winning football games and so we know we have to get better. I think everybody in the locker room knows we have to get better, but we want to go out there and do that and prove that.''

Last week, the Chiefs survived in a similar manner against another sub-.500 opponent. They led the Carolina Panthers by 14 points late in the first half but needed a walk-off field goal to deliver one of those last-play victories.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones had two sacks, his first since Week 4. He said the Chiefs would remember the many things they did wrong against the Raiders -- allowing two long touchdown passes, his two offside penalties, yielding 434 yards -- as much as what they accomplished.

He also indicated that yet another narrow finish would be good for Kansas City.

"When you look at the playoffs, most games are close, down-to-the-wire type of games, so there's a lot we can build from this as a team overall,'' Jones said. "We're just going to keep on winning, keep on winning. You can learn a lot from winning.

"It is better to win than have a pretty loss. We'll take an ugly win, build from it and continue to get better.''

- Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff WriterCHI

MAHOMES SEEKS 'CALMER' ENDINGS AFTER ANOTHER CHIEFS WALK-OFF

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25).

© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After the Kansas City Chiefs secured their fifth walk-off victory of the season Sunday, quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he will take the wins any way he can get them but would rather they be less stressful at the end.

"You want to have some blowouts,'' Mahomes said after the Chiefs beat the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on rookie Spencer Shrader's 31-yard field goal as time expired. "You want be a little calmer in the fourth quarter. I've always said it can be a good thing as you get to the playoffs and later in the season, just knowing that you've been in those moments before and knowing how to kind of attack it.

"But I would love to win a game [before] the very last play.''

The 10-1 Chiefs have eight wins by one score, tying an NFL record for the most by any team in the first 11 games of a season. Half of their wins have come down to the final play. One of those victories was decided by a blocked field goal, one on an overtime touchdown, one when an opposing receiver missed getting a foot down in the end zone by inches and now two by field goals.

Mahomes led the Chiefs on the winning drive against the Panthers. It started with two short pass completions, but the big play was a 33-yard Mahomes scramble that put the Chiefs in field goal range.

Mahomes by his own admission isn't the fastest or most elusive quarterback when he runs. But he's effective.

"He has a great feel for the game,'' coach Andy Reid said. "He knows by the coverage where guys are and what they're trying to do and accomplish with the coverage and he can feel the front.''

Mahomes has made some long runs for the Chiefs late in some of their most notable victories. The longest play on their winning drive in Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles was a 26-yard Mahomes run, and the longest play on the winning drive in their Super Bowl LVIII win against the San Francisco 49ers last season was a 19-yard Mahomes run.

"It's not like I pre-plan that stuff,'' Mahomes said. "It's just whenever it comes down to it and you've got to make the play, I feel like I try to go out there and make the play, and that's why I feel like it happens kind of later in games sometimes.

"You don't want to slide. You have to kind of put your body out there knowing that you can take hits and stuff like that, but we've been able to make some big runs and some big moments.''

Shrader joined the Chiefs two weeks ago as an emergency replacement for Harrison Butker, who had surgery for a torn meniscus. Shrader kicked in two games, one for the Indianapolis Colts and one for the New York Jets, before coming to the Chiefs in time for a game against the Buffalo Bills.

"I knew that I'd be getting an opportunity, so I just tried to stay calm, understanding that it was going to come at some point,'' Shrader said. "Then when it did come I was ready. That comes from a belief in the team that they're going to get you in that situation, and then you go out there and just knock it through.''

Butker has made many a clutch kick for the Chiefs, including their other walk-off field goal this season, a 51-yarder against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Chiefs said they believed in Shrader but couldn't know for certain how he would respond in a pressure situation that's not new for this year's Chiefs but is new for him.

"That's a whole lot of pressure for a new guy,'' Reid said. "He's in here replacing for us right now a future Hall of Famer. That's not easy to do in these games.''

- Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer