{"id":45008,"date":"2025-12-09T23:18:49","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T23:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=45008"},"modified":"2025-12-09T23:18:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T23:18:49","slug":"stephen-a-smith-makes-bold-prediction-on-travis-kelce-after-texans-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=45008","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A. Smith Makes Bold Prediction on Travis Kelce After Texans Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">The\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs\u00a0suffered a massive blow to their playoff chances on Sunday Night Football as they lost at home to the\u00a0Houston Texans\u00a0by a score of 20-10. Following the loss, the class of the AFC now has just a\u00a015 percent chance of making the playoffs. They\u2019ll need to win out in their final four games while getting some help from a number of teams in the Wild Card race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1723273535268-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CL3ErfPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Some of the Chiefs uncharacteristically sloppy offensive play came from their typically sure-handed players like\u00a0Patrick Mahomes\u00a0and\u00a0Travis Kelce. Kelce\u2019s struggles in particular cost Kansas City in the late stages of Sunday night\u2019s game.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"taboola-below-mid-article\" class=\"trc_related_container tbl-trecs-container trc_spotlight_widget trc_elastic trc_elastic_thumbs-feed-01-b\" data-placement-name=\"Mid article\">\n<div class=\"trc_rbox_container\">\n<div>\n<div id=\"trc_wrapper_7950956688\" class=\"trc_rbox thumbs-feed-01-b trc-content-sponsored\">\n<div id=\"outer_7950956688\" class=\"trc_rbox_outer\">\n<div id=\"rbox-t2m\" class=\"trc_rbox_div trc_rbox_border_elm\">\n<div id=\"internal_trc_7950956688\">\n<div class=\"videoCube trc_spotlight_item origin-default photoItem thumbnail_top videoCube_1_child syndicatedItem trc-first-recommendation trc-spotlight-first-recommendation trc_excludable\" data-item-id=\"~~V1~~-4841365246674081214~~Z7EO7hOfMtV-YIl4CkXY_m_Ef6VmR4-emk47M8lWJ10e79Ni-eBnd8iQ4KmvvX-QCoTT_IvWFG7RTbSa_z-XXq8ooLhW1MfG9VE0B8wrCnFLglAoZjeKApYGMwqGaJ9Z7MTWm9ajaYaFxOtApprbXjwBwbVzqx5qDQAj-sfT0DlR3Cf1HV_XRWRO93vRRelm_Xg7GHGcblufxFxyFOJ9rRSe4T96GcI7E69q4JMvEk41zOKv7uYXldyc4Qx1iQaB\" data-item-title=\"Neuropathy is not from Low Vitamin B. Meet the Real Enemy of Neuropathy (Stop Doing This)\" data-item-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.taboola.com\/libtrc\/static\/thumbnails\/1ed7f2e68ecda763c492ea66e75d306f.jpg\" data-item-syndicated=\"true\">\n<div class=\"thumbBlock_holder\">\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Kelce caught just one of his five targets on Sunday night, while suffering two brutal drops in the latter half of the fourth quarter, the second of which was picked off by Houston.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1723273569232-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CL7ErfPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Following Kelce\u2019s poor showing, rumors have begun to hit the fan around whether we\u2019re watching the beginning of the end of his Hall-of-Fame career.<\/p>\n<h2>Stephen A: \u201cThis Is The End For [Kelce]\u201d<\/h2>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"js_adsconex_parallax_1\" data-type=\"parallax\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_ad-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_ad\" align=\"center\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261651577-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CILMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_20_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Stephen A. Smith took the stage on ESPN\u2019s \u201cFirst Take\u201d on Monday morning and made a bold claim about Kelce\u2019s dwindling future in the\u00a0NFL.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">\u201cAs for their future sure-fire Hall-of-Famer Travis Kelce, I think this is the end for him,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI think we all knew he just came back because of the way they went out in the Super Bowl against the\u00a0Eagles.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"a8b358f8c08ffe5f86a873c81ba87bff\">\n<article>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cAs for their future sure-fire hall-of-famer Travis Kelce, I think this is the end for him\u2026 I think we all knew he just came back because of the way they went out in the Super Bowl against the Eagles.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"js_adsconex_parallax_2\" data-type=\"parallax\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_ad-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"adsconex-parallax_ad\" align=\"center\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261615119-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CIHMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_19_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Stephen A. Smith \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">(via\u00a0@FirstTake)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Based on Kelce\u2019s play Sunday night, Smith\u2019s point may have some validity. It could be easily argued that this was one of, if not the worst game of Kelce\u2019s NFL career, especially with the playoff implications it carried.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1723273652002-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CMDErfPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_4_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Unless he catches 8+ passes in each of the final four games of the year, Kelce is on pace to have the least productive season of his career since 2015. He has 60 catches for 727 yards this season and hasn\u2019t been under 90 since the 2017 season. If you pace it out, Kelce is only averaging a little over four catches per game this season, a downgrade for Mahomes\u2019 long-time safety blanket.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1725257493400-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CIrMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_5_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">If Kelce truly only came back because he wanted to avenge the Chiefs\u2019 loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl last season, he hasn\u2019t done much to prove his vengeance; rather, all of his work this season may have been done for naught as Kansas City\u2019s playoff chances are quickly slipping away.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"related-content-block-metaconex\" class=\"js_adsconex_block\" data-site-type=\"metaconex\" data-type=\"ad_block\" data-ad-placement-id=\"71373\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Mahomes Finishes SNF With Lowest Passer Rating of Career<\/h2>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Patrick Mahomes finished Sunday night\u2019s game with a passer rating of 19.8, the worst single-game performance of his storied career. He finished the game completing 14-0f-33 passes for just 160 yards and three interceptions. He didn\u2019t complete a touchdown pass.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1725257548274-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CIvMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_6_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">On a macro level, Mahomes\u2019 stats this season aren\u2019t terrible; they\u2019d be very solid for a middling NFL QB. But for the level of play we\u2019ve seen from the two-time MVP over his career, it\u2019s been a highly disappointing season comparatively.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1725257596831-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CIzMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_7_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Articles \/ Paragraph Links\">Granted, he\u2019s working with a depleted offensive line, a regressing Kelce, and a mediocre group of wide receivers. We\u2019ve seen him do more with less around him in his career though, which begs the question \u201cwhat has to change in Kansas City to rebuild around Mahomes?\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1725257638093-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CI3MpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_8_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>Steelers Get First Real Look at Shedeur Sanders\u2019 NFL Decision<\/h2>\n<div class=\"recommended-thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" src=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/hjnews.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/9\/7b\/97b6aca2-1632-5809-b505-308770ca6e7d\/693692c7563ee.image.jpg?resize=1024%2C682\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"recommended-wrapper\">\n<div id=\"ac_109855451\" class=\"article_chunk type_50\">\n<div class=\"froala-view custom-theme first_text_block\">\n<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers still have three weeks before they play the Cleveland Browns for the final time this season, but they got an announcement that adds a little something extra to their AFC North showdown.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ac_109855451\" class=\"article_chunk type_50\">\n<div class=\"froala-view custom-theme first_text_block\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-img\" src=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/hjnews.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/9\/7b\/97b6aca2-1632-5809-b505-308770ca6e7d\/693692c7563ee.image.jpg?resize=1024%2C682\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Steelers versus Browns Week 17 game could help decide the winner of the division, or set up a dramatic ending in Pittsburgh against the Baltimore Ravens. But during the Cleveland game, the Steelers will get an opportunity to see if they made the right quarterback call during the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1757312352702-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CI_MpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_10_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Browns announced that Shedeur Sanders will remain the starting quarterback for the rest of their 2025 season, ending talks of Deshaun Watson returning or Dillon Gabriel taking back over.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261387973-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CJDMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_11_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The first time Pittsburgh and Cleveland faced off, Gabriel was the passer, completing 29 of 52 passes for 221 yards as the Steelers won 23-9. This time, Sanders will get an opportunity to host the Steelers, and maybe show a team that passed on him that they made a mistake.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261423635-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CJHMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_12_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Steelers Tested The Waters With Sanders<\/h2>\n<p>Let&#8217;s go back to the 2025 NFL Draft. Everyone was trying to figure out where Sanders was going to land in the first round, with the Steelers as the most-likely pick. Pittsburgh held the Colorado star for a visit just before the draft and many believed it was a sign that they were going to take a chance on the QB with their first-round selection.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261449536-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CJLMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_13_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aditude_inline_container aditude_ic_2\">\n<div id=\"aditude_article_inline_2\" class=\"aditude_div\" data-google-query-id=\"CNGy7JX_sJEDFbLtFgUd_3Envw\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/63317524\/yardbarker\/articles\/article_dynamic_2_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Instead, the Steelers passed on Sanders for Derrick Harmon. Then, they passed on him in the third round for Kaleb Johnson, and again in the fourth round for Jack Sawyer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261476422-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CJPMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_14_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sanders eventually went to the Browns in the fifth round, sparking plenty of conversation and a lot of backlash against teams who passed on him. Considering many thought he was a first-round pick heading into the draft, there&#8217;s a lot of belief that Cleveland got a steal in the later picks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261527497-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CJTMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_16_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"ac_109855453\" class=\"article_chunk type_50\">\n<div class=\"froala-view custom-theme\">\n<h2>We&#8217;ll See<\/h2>\n<p>Now, the Steelers get their first look at the quarterback they passed on. Sanders isn&#8217;t going up against Pittsburgh&#8217;s rookie in Will Howard, who they selected in the sixth round, but against Aaron Rodgers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261560224-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CJXMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_17_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aditude_inline_container aditude_ic_3\">\n<div id=\"aditude_article_inline_3\" class=\"aditude_div\" data-google-query-id=\"CIrn4JX_sJEDFSO2VgEdUYozmQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/63317524\/yardbarker\/articles\/article_dynamic_3_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If Sanders had ended up in Pittsburgh, Rodgers would&#8217;ve been the starter anyway. But the rookie gets a chance to prove to Mike Tomlin and company that he should&#8217;ve been their next franchise passer. A test that, if Sanders passes, could cause issues for the Steelers&#8217; playoff hopes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"in-article-ad\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1762261585368-0\" data-google-query-id=\"CJbMpPPRsZEDFYBxCAQdJvc8fQ\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/22751588535,23055578086\/CafeX\/Feji.io_Banner_Responsive_18_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sanders is 1-2 as a starter, completing 54 of 103 passes for 769 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.<\/p>\n<p>Pittsburgh travels to Cleveland in Week 17 to play at Huntington Bank Field.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; The\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs\u00a0suffered a massive blow to their playoff chances on Sunday Night Football as they lost at home to the\u00a0Houston Texans\u00a0by a score of 20-10. Following the &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":45009,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45008"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45010,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45008\/revisions\/45010"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/45009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}