The Kansas City Chiefs moved to a franchise-best 15-1 record on Wednesday by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 29-10, while also securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture in the process.
Here are some quick notes from the win.
1. The Chiefs are the eighth team in NFL history to win 15+ regular-season games.
Kansas City secured a franchise-record 15th regular-season win on Wednesday while also becoming just the eighth team in league history to ever reach that mark.
The Chiefs joined the 2015 Carolina Panthers (15-1), 2011 Green Bay Packers (15-1), 2007 New England Patriots (16-0), 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers (15-1), 1998 Minnesota Vikings (15-1), 1985 Chicago Bears (15-1) and 1984 San Francisco 49ers (15-1) by doing so.
2. Tight end Travis Kelce is now the franchise's all-time leader in touchdown receptions.
Kelce hauled in the 77th regular-season touchdown of his brilliant career on Wednesday, moving him past Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez for the most scoring grabs in franchise history. It was also the 80th touchdown from scrimmage in Kelce's career, which trails only tailback Priest Holmes (83) for the franchise mark.
Additionally, Kelce secured his seventh-straight season with 90+ catches, which marks the longest streak for any player in league history. In fact, only wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald's eight total seasons with 90+ receptions surpass Kelce's tally in NFL lore.
Lastly, Kelce now has 1,004 regular-season catches for his career, making him one of just 15 players in league history with 1,000+ receptions.
3. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes now has 245 regular-season touchdown passes for his career.
Mahomes completed 29-of-38 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns on Wednesday, passing Peyton Manning for the most regular-season touchdown passes (245) through eight career seasons in NFL history. Of course, Mahomes appeared in just one game during his rookie campaign, meaning he accomplished this feat in just seven full seasons.
For the year, Mahomes' 320 passing yards on Wednesday trailed only his 331-yard performance vs. New Orleans in Week 5.
Additionally, Mahomes – despite playing three of the top pass-rushing teams in the NFL over the last three weeks in Cleveland, Houston and Pittsburgh – was sacked just once in that span. The Chiefs' offensive line deserves immense credit for Kansas City's offensive performance over the last several games.
4. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy recorded career-bests in catches and receiving yards.
Worthy hauled in eight catches for 79 yards – both career-bests – and a touchdown on Wednesday, continuing what has been a strong finish to his rookie campaign. In fact, over the last seven weeks, Worthy has touched the ball 50 times for 459 yards and four total touchdowns.
No player has more games with 40+ yards from scrimmage than Worthy since Week 11.
Additionally, Worthy's nine total touchdowns this season are tied with Jaguars' wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for the most of any rookie.
5. Wide receiver Justin Watson hauled in his second touchdown of the season.
Watson, who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, had a homecoming to remember on Wednesday with two catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Watson's score, which took place on third down early in the game, marked his second of the season.
The veteran wide receiver also tallied a 49-yard reception on the drive that eventually ended with his touchdown. It was the Chiefs' third-longest play from scrimmage this year.
6. Tailback Kareem Hunt recorded his seventh rushing touchdown of the year.
Hunt, who didn't join the Chiefs until Week 4, found the end zone for the seventh time this season on Wednesday. It marked his second-straight week with a score.
Hunt, who is just two scores shy of matching his total from last season, ranks 13th among all players in rushing touchdowns since Week 4. His seven rushing scores match his production from his 2018 campaign, which was his last with the Chiefs until this year.
7. Cornerback Trent McDuffie notched a third-straight game with a takeaway.
McDuffie, who recorded an interception in each of the Chiefs' previous two games, kept his forced-turnover streak alive on Wednesday with a forced fumble early in the fourth quarter.
It was one of two takeaways for the Chiefs on the day, with the other being an interception by safety Justin Reid (which took place in the end zone) on the Steelers' third series.
Kansas City, which forced just 10 takeaways through Week 14, has now recorded 11 takeaways over the last three weeks.
8. Kansas City matched a season-best with five sacks on Wednesday.
The Chiefs matched a season-high with five sacks on Wednesday, doing so for the third time this year. Defensive end Mike Danna (2 sacks), defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (1 sack), defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (1 sack) and defensive end George Karlaftis (1 sack) all contributed to that total.
Additionally, what separates Wednesday's effort from the rest is the fact that defensive lineman Chris Jones – who entered Week 17 with the most pressures of any player in the league – didn't play on Wednesday due to a calf injury. Despite his absence, Kansas City's defense stepped up in a big way early and often against Pittsburgh.
Aside from the sacks, defensive end Charles Omenihu also had a strong day with a season-high six individual pressures.
As of Wednesday, the Chiefs now own the league's No. 1 scoring defense at just 18.0 points allowed-per-game.
9. The Chiefs are +11 in turnover margin since Week 12.
A major reason behind the Chiefs' six-game winning streak since falling to Buffalo in Week 11 has been their turnover margin. The Chiefs are a league-best +11 in the giveaway-takeaway ratio in that time, forcing 11 turnovers without committing a single one themselves.
In fact, Kansas City is the only team without a turnover since Week 12. As of Wednesday, the Chiefs' +11 turnover margin since Week 12 leads the league by three, and for the year, Kansas City is now +6 after sitting at -5 following Week 11.
10. Kansas City owns the top seed in the AFC playoff picture.
The Chiefs clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture on Wednesday, doing so for the fourth time under quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City also clinched the top seed in the AFC in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
Securing the No. 1 seed means that Kansas City will receive a first-round bye in the postseason, setting up a matchup against the lowest remaining seed in the AFC field at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in the Divisional Round. The top seed also guarantees homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, so if the Chiefs win their Divisional Round contest, the AFC Championship Game would take place in Kansas City.
The Chiefs still have plenty of work to do, but the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champions have certainly set themselves up nicely for a run at history.
