NFL playoff receptions leaders: Chiefs' Travis Kelce breaks Jerry Rice's all-time record
After his 11-reception, 116-yard performance in the Chiefs' AFC championship game win over the Ravens, tight end Travis Kelce's name stand atop an exclusive list of NFL performers.
Kelce, a seven-time NFL All-Pro selection, surpassed 49ers legend Jerry Rice for the most playoff receptions of all time prior to the Chiefs' Super Bowl matchup with San Francisco on Feb. 11.
The 34-year-old tight end now has 156 playoff catches in his career, and it's not his only playoff record. Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes also own the most touchdowns by a quarterback-receiver duo in NFL playoff history. The two have connected on 17 touchdowns, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski of the Patriots and Buccaneers.
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Kelce has been electric in the playoffs this season, catching 23 of 27 targets for 262 yards with three touchdowns in the Chiefs' three postseason games.
With the Chiefs making the 2024 Super Bowl, Kelce has the opportunity to further distance himself from the field against the 49ers. Here's the list of career NFL playoff receptions leaders:
How many catches does Travis Kelce have in the NFL playoffs?
Kelce has 156 all-time postseason receptions, five more than Rice, who's second with 151. Kelce entered the AFC championship game with 147 catches, four away from tying Rice and five away from setting the record outright. He cleared that threshold easily with an 11-catch game vs. the Ravens to take the outright lead.
More impressive: Kelce reached 156 catches in just 21 postseason games, whereas Rice reached his total in 29 playoff games. That said, Rice reached his postseason total with just 169 targets, compared to Kelce's 192. Based off targets and catches, Rice has an 89.3 catch percentage, comapred to Kelce's 81.3%.
Travis Kelce stats in NFL playoffs
Career postseason stats: 156 catches for 1,810 yards (11.6 yards per reception) and 19 touchdowns
Kelce's partnership with Mahomes has made him one of the most effective pass-catchers in NFL playoff history, regardless of position. In 21 games across 10 NFL postseasons, he has accumulated 156 catches for 1,810 yards and 19 touchdowns. His postseason yardage and touchdown receptions both rank second in NFL playoff history, behind Rice.
Arguably, Kelce's best postseason came in 2020, when he racked up 31 receptions and 360 yards (all in 100-yard receiving games) and three receiving touchdowns. The Chiefs ultimately lost 31-9 to Brady, Gronkowski and the Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55.
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NFL playoffs receptions leaders
Here's the top-10 list of NFL playoffs career receptions leaders:
1. Travis Kelce (156)
2. Jerry Rice (151)
3. Julian Edelman (118)
4. Rob Gronkowski (98)
5. Tyreek Hill (96)
6. Reggie Wayne (93)
T-7. Hines Ward (88)
T-7. Wes Welker (88)
9. Michael Irvin (87)
10. Andre Reed (85)
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NFL playoffs receiving yards leaders
1. Jerry Rice (2,245)
2.Travis Kelce (1,810)
3. Julian Edelman (1,442)
4. Rob Gronkowski (1,389)
5. Michael Irvin (1,315)
6. Cliff Branch (1,289)
7. Reggie Wayne (1,254)
8. Andre Reed (1,229)
9. Tyreek Hill (1,212)
10. Hines Ward (1,181)
NFL playoffs touchdown reception leaders
1. Jerry Rice (22)
2.Travis Kelce (19)
3. Rob Gronkowski (15)
4. John Stallworth (12)
T-5. Fred Biletnikoff (10)
T-5. Larry Fitzgerald (10)
T-5. Antonio Freeman (10)
T-5. Randy Moss (10)
T-5. Hines Ward (10)
T-10. Andre Reed (9)
T-10. Steve Smith Sr. (9)
T-10. Lynn Swann (9)
T-10. Reggie Wayne (9)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Travis Kelce stats in playoffs: How Chiefs TE compares to Jerry Rice
