How Travis Kelce performed with, without Taylor Swift attending Chiefs games
It's been a new era for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, as he's gone from NFL star to global celebrity, thanks to Taylor Swift.
Ever since Swift showed up alongside Donna Kelce during Kansas City's Week 3 win over the Chicago Bears, football and music fans have wondered how often the pop icon would be seen attending Chiefs games. She has showed up to several more games, including the Chiefs' Super Bowl 58 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. Swift had been busy with her Eras Tour in Argentina and Brazil, which included a visit from Kelce in Buenos Aires.
Here is how much different Kelce's performance has been with Swift cheering him on, versus when she isn't around:
Travis Kelce stats with Taylor Swift in attendance
It was nothing but good karma for "the guy on the Chiefs" when Swift first started going to games, but things turned into a losing skid for a time before wins started to happen again.
When Swift was in attendance for Chiefs games this season, Kansas City went 10-3 en route to their second consecutive Super Bowl title. Kelce ended up with 89 catches for 1,039 yards (79.9 yards per game) and five touchdowns. During those games, Kelce averaged 11.7 yards per reception.
After winning their first four games with Swift in attendance, the Chiefs lost three of the next four she attended, including a Christmas Day defeat against the Las Vegas Raiders. Swift ended her regular-season appearances with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year's Eve that clinched the AFC West title.
During the Chiefs' four playoff victories, Kelce compiled 355 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions, an average of 88.8 yards per game. Two of his touchdowns came during K.C.'s divisional round takedown of Buffalo.
Here are the games for which Swift was in attendance, along with Kelce's stats in that game:
Week 3 vs. Chicago Bears: Seven catches for 69 yards and one touchdown; win, 41-10
Week 4 at New York Jets: Six catches for 60 yards; win, 23-20
Week 6 vs. Denver Broncos: Nine catches for 124 yards; win, 19-8
Week 7 vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 12 catches (season-high) for 179 yards (season-high) and a touchdown; win, 31-17
Week 13 at Green Bay Packers: Four catches for 81 yards; loss, 27-19
Week 14 vs. Buffalo Bills: Six catches for 83 yards; loss, 20-17
Week 15 at New England Patriots: Five catches for 28 yards; win, 27-17
Week 16 vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Five catches for 44 yards; loss, 20-14
Week 17 vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Three catches for 16 yards; win, 25-17
Wild-card round vs. Miami Dolphins; Seven catches for 71 yards; win 26-7
Divisional round vs. Buffalo Bills: Five catches, 75 yards, two touchdowns; win 27-24
AFC championship game vs. Baltimore Ravens: 11 catches, 116 yards, touchdown; win 17-10
Super Bowl 58 vs. San Francisco 49ers: 9 catches, 93 yards; win 25-22
Travis Kelce stats without Taylor Swift in attendance
Without Swift, the Chiefs were still good but not perfect, and there was certainly a blank space in Kelce's results.
When Swift didn't attend – and Kelce played – Kansas City was 4-2. Kelce also had some of his statistically worst games without Swift there. Four of his lowest receiving yard games came with her not in the stands.
In those six games, Kelce had 36 catches for 300 yards (50 yards per game) and three touchdowns. That adds up to 8.2 yards per reception.
Those games include when Kelce had a season-low three catches for 14 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Germany, and when he had a drop and his lone fumble of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Even after the loss to Philadelphia, Kelce said: "I’m not playing my best football right now."
Kelce also hasn't topped 100 receiving yards in any of the games Swift wasn't at. The games have also been closer, as the road win against the Raiders is the only victory in which the Chiefs won by more than one-score.
Will Taylor Swift be at the Chiefs' Super Bowl matchup?
Yes, Taylor Swift did it. She's made the remarkable trek from Tokyo to Las Vegas and watch as Travis Kelce won his third career Super Bowl ring.
The pop superstar has been a frequent presence at Kansas City’s games this season, and it always seemed likely she would be present to watch watch the guy on the Chiefs despite wrapping up a four-show stop of her Eras Tour in Tokyo on Saturday.
Swift’s concert started at 6 p.m. Saturday in Tokyo, which is 17 hours ahead of Las Vegas. Her shows last 3½ hours so, even allowing time for her to change and pack, figure she could be ready to go by 10:30 p.m. That’s 5:30 a.m. Saturday in Las Vegas.
The flight from Tokyo to Vegas is about 12 hours, which includes a stop, typically in Los Angeles. But that’s on a commercial flight, and Swift has a private jet. So even if she has to stop to refuel, she could be in Las Vegas by early evening Saturday night.
Swift spoke about how "football is awesome" in her TIME Person of the Year cover story, and how she's just trying to support Kelce rather than be shown on the broadcast.
"I’m just there to support Travis. I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads," Swift said.
USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour contributed to this report
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Kelce's stats when Taylor Swift attends Chiefs games
