Are Travis Kelce's stats better or worse with Taylor Swift at Kansas City Chiefs games?
The NFL playoffs have arrived, so will there be some Swift magic in the Kansas City Chiefs' quest for a three-peat?
Tight end Travis Kelce and megastar Taylor Swift will again take their relationship into the postseason, capturing the attention of football and music fans as the Chiefs try to defend their title and become the first back-to-back-to-back champion in the Super Bowl era.
The two became one of the most famous couples ever since Swift showed up at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 3 of the 2023 season. Since then, we have watched their love story grow as Swift embarked on her stellar Eras Tour while Kelce and the Chiefs chased a second consecutive Super Bowl. It all culminated in Las Vegas in February 2024 when Kansas City won another title and the couple got to celebrate the repeat championship together. The relationship remains strong, and the couple will hope to celebrate another championship in a few weeks.
Swift has only been at Kansas City home games this season, and that should be good news for her to be in attendance for the playoff run since the Chiefs have home-field advantage in the AFC. It hasn't been confirmed if she will be at the divisional round game against the Houston Texans, but with the Eras Tour wrapped up and no known commitments, Swift should be able to be at the game.
Could the possibility of Swift's appearance have an effect on Kelce's and his team's performance? He certainly has seen his stats fluctuate whenever Swift has watched him play, and perhaps something big could be in store on Saturday.
Travis Kelce stats with Taylor Swift in attendance 2024 season
Swift has been at nearly every Kansas City home game this season. She saw the Chiefs' season-opening victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Monday night victories over the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the stunning win against the Denver Broncos, the Black Friday game against the Las Vegas Raiders and the home regular season finale against the Houston Texans. The only one she missed was the Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers because she was finishing her tour.
Kelce did have a slow start, but he has picked it up in recent games. In seven games with Swift watching, Kelce has a combined 47 catches for 371 receiving yards and one touchdown. That's an average of 6.7 catches and 53 receiving yards per game. Swift was on hand to see Kelce haul in a season-high 14 catches for 100 yards against the Buccaneers. Here are his stats in the games she has attended:
Week 1 vs. Ravens: three catches, 34 yards
Week 2 vs. Bengals: one catch, 5 yards
Week 5 vs. Saints: nine catches, 70 yards
Week 9 vs. Buccaneers: 14 catches, 100 yards
Week 10 vs. Broncos: eight catches, 64 yards and one touchdown
Week 13 vs. Raiders: seven catches, 68 yards
Week 16 vs. Texans: five catches, 30 yards
The Chiefs are 7-0 this season with Swift watching live and, dating to last season, are 17-3 when she's in the crowd.
Travis Kelce stats without Taylor Swift in attendance 2024 season
Statistically − and in team success − Kelce has done better on average at home when Swift is watching him play. In the Chiefs nine games she hasn't attended and Kelce played in, Kelce has a combined 50 receptions for 452 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That averages to 5.6 catches for 50.2 yards per game, lower than his averages at home.
Here are his stats at the games she has missed:
Week 3 vs. Falcons: four catches, 30 yards
Week 4 vs. Chargers: seven catches, 89 yards
Week 7 vs. 49ers: four catches, 17 yards
Week 8 vs. Raiders: 10 catches, 90 yards and one touchdown
Week 11 vs. Bills: two catches, 8 yards
Week 12 vs. Panthers: six catches, 62 yards
Week 14 vs. Chargers: five catches, 45 yards
Week 15 vs. Browns: four catches, 27 yards
Week 17 vs. Steelers: eight catches, 84 yards and one touchdown
Kansas City is 8-1 when Swift isn't there and Kelce has played, and 12-3 in that situation dating to last season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Kelce stats with Taylor Swift at Kansas City Chiefs games
