By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-20 18:36:57 | Updated at 2025-01-20 21:58:02
3 hours ago
The divisional playoff showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans was ESPN's most-watched NFL game in history.
On Saturday, the defending Super Bowl champions began their playoff quest toward a third straight title by hosting the Texans at Arrowhead Stadium.
After four quarters, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce cruised toward a 23-14 victory at home over CJ Stroud and company.
Apart from Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark in the suits, ESPN revealed that 32.7 million viewers tuned in to the game - the most since the network began showing regular season and playoff games in 1987.
The game's numbers overtook the Texans' divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2024, which garnered 32.3 million viewers.
Dallas' Wild Card game against Tampa Bay in 2023 sits third with 31.2 million followed by another Wild Card showdown between the Eagles and Buccaneers from 2024 at 29.1.
The Chiefs-Texans divisional playoff game was the most-watched NFL game in ESPN history
Taylor Swift sat next to Caitlin Clark and Ed Kelce for the highly-anticipated playoff showdown
The Chiefs' Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in November wraps up the Top 5 with 29.9 million.
Swift sat in the VIP suite with Caitlin Clark and Kecle's family as the tight end began his playoff campaign with an all-important touchdown after a subpar regular season.
In his tenth year with Kansas City, Kelce's numbers have fallen significantly from previous campaigns. While he's tallied 97 receptions, four more than last year, the tight end is seeing career-low yards (823) and touchdowns (3).
The Chiefs hope for a repeat of Kelce's postseason form last year when he tallied two touchdowns against Buffalo in the divisional playoffs and another against Baltimore in the AFC title game.
While Kelce has not been the best version of himself, Mahomes' title-winning form has continued with 392 completions for 581 attempts. He also threw for 3,928 yards and 26 touchdowns.
He led Andy Reid's men to victory on Saturday with 16 completions for 177 yards and the touchdown pass to Kelce. Kareem Hunt also rushed to the end zone while Harrison Butker completed all three field goal attempts for 11 points.
The Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will meet in Kansas City on Sunday at 6.30pm ET for the AFC title. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles will battle for NFC supremacy.
