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Broncos-Chiefs takeaways: Denver escapes K.C. to stay on track for AFC’s top seed | The Athletic

End of an era?
Kelce hasn’t announced whether he’ll retire at the end of this season. If he does, though, Thursday will be remembered as his final home game at Arrowhead Stadium.
There were times — including during pregame introductions — when Kelce seemed to take an extra second or two to soak up the atmosphere, just in case this was his home curtain call.
Kelce was mostly quiet until the final drive Thursday; he finished with five catches for 36 yards. His 11-yard catch in the first quarter was one of the most memorable as he contributed to a third-and-6 conversion before waving to the crowd in celebration afterward.
Kelce, 36, is expected to decide on his future in the next few months. He’s played 13 seasons in the NFL — all with the Chiefs — while earning a Pro Bowl nod in each of his last 11 campaigns. — Jesse Newell, Chiefs beat writer

The Good, Bad and Ugly, NFL Week 17: Broncos Survive Scare, Vikings End Lions’ Season | SI

Good: Travis Kelce doesn’t go out in an embarrassment at ArrowheadEmpty heading
The Chiefs were supposed to get blown out, going into the game as 13.5-point underdogs in some books. Yet, Kansas City showed some fight, losing by a touchdown to a Denver team attempting to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
On Christmas night, Kelce led the Chiefs with five catches and 36 receiving yards, which doesn’t sound like much until you realize Oladokun threw for only 66 yards in a miserable showing.
If that was it for Kelce at Arrowhead, as we wrote earlier this week, there was nothing to be ashamed of. —Matt Verderame

Broncos-Chiefs on Christmas Day: What We Learned from Denver’s 20-13 win | NFL.com

Oladokun came up just short in first start for Chiefs. Chris Oladokun had to wait four years on the Chiefs’ practice squad for his opportunity to start his first NFL game, and he had a chance to lead a game-tying or winning drive in the final minutes, but it came up just short. Oladokun was held to 43 passing yards prior to the drive, but he hit Travis Kelce three times for 23 yards and had a 7-yard scramble to put the Chiefs in business, down, 20-13, in the waning moments. That’s when a delay of game penalty and two incomplete passes doomed the Chiefs in their third straight home loss. If this was Kelce’s final home game, he finished with five catches for 36 yards as the one consistent weapon in the passing game. His 11-yard catch in the first quarter drew a rousing ovation, but he was targeted only once more until the final drive. The 28-year-old Oladokun played mostly mistake-free ball and threw his first NFL TD pass to give the Chiefs a chance but couldn’t get much going until late.

NFL Christmas winners, losers: Travis Kelce, Lions, Snoop Dogg, Netflix | USA Today

LOSERS
Travis Kelce

Five catches … for 36 yards … in a nothingburger game … with his guy, injured Patrick Mahomes, watching from an Arrowhead suite. Maybe Kelce should have retired after Kansas City won Super Bowl 58. But is this how he wants his NFL Era to end?

Around the NFL

Lions’ window closing after being booted from playoff race | Yardbarker

Detroit Lions headed for pivotal offseason after being eliminated for playoff contention
The Lions turned the ball over six times in the Christmas Day loss, a game they needed to win to have a chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
Quarterback Jared Goff was 18-of-29 for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also responsible for three of the team’s four fumbles.
The result could lead Detroit to reevaluate certain areas, particularly on offense. Line injuries played a role in the unit’s struggles, but it’s fair to question if head coach Dan Campbell should be calling plays next season. He took over the responsibility in November, but it might make sense to explore alternatives during the offseason.

Dak Prescott’s ‘pride’ has him planning to play final game | ESPN

The Dallas Cowboys will miss the playoffs, but after Thursday’s 30-23 win against the Washington Commanders, quarterback Dak Prescott reiterated he wants to play in next week’s season finale at the New York Giants.
“I’ll have some fight back,” Prescott said. “It depends on how it comes, what’s the purpose, what’s the reason. Obviously, I understand being approached about it, but the conversations we’ve already had about it are for me to play.”
Prescott was sacked six times, a season high, and hurried 11 times by the Commanders. For the first time this season, he failed to complete 60% of his passes, hitting 19 of 37 attempts for 307 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran four times for 24 yards.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

3 instant takeaways from the Chiefs’ 20-13 loss to the Broncos

2. Brashard Smith flashed playmaking ability
Rookie running back Brashard Smith touched the ball only eight times, but he maximized those opportunities and stood out in limited usage.
Following Bolton’s interception in the second quarter, Kansas City faced third-and-goal from the five-yard line. Smith leaked into the flat, caught a short pass and slipped past linebacker Alex Singleton’s tackle attempt to stay upright and reach the end zone.
Smith’s explosiveness showed again on a 44-yard punt return in the fourth quarter, the longest play of the day for Kansas City. He followed his blocks and accelerated down the left sideline, setting up a game-tying field goal.