When the Kansas City Chiefs took the field at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025, no one expected them to win. Down 20-9 with under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, their playoff hopes were flickering. But then came the miracle. Harrison Butker didn’t just kick a field goal—he kicked destiny. His fourth of the day, a 25-yarder with 12 seconds left, forced overtime. Then, just 1:47 into extra time, he drilled a 38-yarder to seal a 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t clean. But it was unforgettable.
The Collapse That Wasn’t
The Indianapolis Colts looked like a team destined for the AFC’s top seed. At 8-2, they’d beaten the Bills, Titans, and Jaguars in their last four games. Their defense was stingy. Their running game, led by Jonathan Taylor, was dominant. Early on, they carved up Kansas City’s secondary. Quarterback Anthony Richardson hit deep throws. Kicker Michael Badgley nailed a 47-yarder to make it 20-9 late in the third. The crowd at Arrowhead fell silent. Even the announcers started packing up.
Then came the twist.
On third-and-13 with 5:12 left, Patrick Mahomes rolled right, evaded two defenders, and fired a laser to rookie receiver Rice—who spun past DeForest Buckner at the 25-yard line. First down. Two plays later, a 12-yard scramble by Mahomes set up Butker’s first clutch kick of the night: 34 yards. 20-12. The stadium stirred.
The Drive That Changed Everything
What followed was pure Mahomes magic. With 1:15 left and no timeouts, the Chiefs faced second-and-15 at their own 41. The Colts’ defense, smelling blood, blitzed. Mahomes stood tall. He saw Travis Kelce break toward the sideline. He launched. The ball hung. Kelce leapt, got a fingertip, and dragged his toes just inside the line. First down. The crowd roared. The Colts’ sideline looked stunned.
On the next play, referee John Parry flagged defensive back Julian Blackmon for pass interference at the 36-yard line. The penalty gave Kansas City a first down at the 19. Three plays later, Butker lined up again. The kick was true. 20-15. 41 seconds left. The Colts had one chance to ice it. They didn’t.
Defense Steps Up When It Matters Most
On the ensuing drive, the Colts faced third-and-4 at their own 32. Jonathan Taylor took the handoff. Chris Jones and George Karlaftis crashed the line like a tidal wave. Taylor was stopped for no gain. Punt. The Chiefs got the ball back with 18 seconds left. No timeouts. The world held its breath.
And that’s when Butker did what only elite kickers can: turn pressure into poetry. His 25-yarder was perfect. Overtime. The Colts, exhausted from their earlier dominance, looked drained. Their defense had held Mahomes all night—until now.
Overtime: The Final Act
After winning the coin toss, Kansas City drove 52 yards in seven plays. Mahomes converted a third-and-7 with a 14-yard dart to Isaiah Likely. Then, on third-and-3 from the 38, he rolled left, bought time, and found Kelce in the end zone. But the ball was batted away. No touchdown. Butker came back out. This time, from 38 yards. The snap. The hold. The kick. It sailed through. The stadium exploded. 23-20. The Chiefs had done the impossible.
For the Colts, it was a nightmare. Their 8-2 record was now 8-3. Their path to the No. 1 seed? Gone. Their confidence? Shattered. Head coach Shane Steichen said afterward: “We played great for 55 minutes. But in this league, you’ve got to finish. And we didn’t.”
Why This Matters
The Chiefs entered the game at 5-5. A loss would’ve buried them in the AFC playoff race. Now, at 6-5, they’re tied for the final wild-card spot. More importantly, they proved they can win ugly. They can win without explosive touchdowns. They can win when their offense looks flat and their defense is gassed. Mahomes threw for 352 yards but zero touchdowns. He had two interceptions. He was sacked three times. Yet he led two fourth-quarter drives that changed the season.
Meanwhile, the Colts’ collapse echoes their 2021 loss to the Bills—where they blew a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. This time, they were up 11. And still lost. It’s not just a defeat. It’s a psychological wound.
What’s Next?
The Chiefs host the Chargers next week—a game that could lock them into the playoffs. The Colts fly to Miami to face the Dolphins, a team hungry for revenge after last year’s heartbreaking loss. If Indianapolis loses again, their playoff hopes could slip into the abyss.
As for Butker? He’s now 18-for-18 on field goals inside 40 yards this season. And in the clutch? Perfect. 7-for-7. He didn’t just win a game. He became the guy you want with the season on the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Harrison Butker’s performance compare to other clutch kickers in NFL history?
Butker’s four field goals in a single game—including the game-winner in overtime—place him among the rarest of clutch kickers. Only five kickers in NFL history have made four field goals in a game where the final margin was three points or less. His perfect 7-for-7 record on game-deciding kicks this season ties him with Justin Tucker (2022) for the best such streak in the last decade. He’s become the most reliable weapon the Chiefs have when the game is on the line.
What impact does this loss have on the Colts’ playoff chances?
The Colts’ 8-3 record now puts them behind the Bills (9-2) and Chiefs (6-5) in the AFC playoff race. With only five games left, they trail three teams for the No. 1 seed and are now tied with the Ravens for the sixth seed. Their remaining schedule includes road games against Miami, New England, and Tennessee—all playoff contenders. A single loss could knock them out of contention entirely. Their margin for error is gone.
Why was Patrick Mahomes’ performance considered uncharacteristic?
Mahomes threw for 352 yards but had zero touchdowns and two interceptions—unusual for him. He was sacked three times and looked rattled early. Yet he never panicked. He made three critical third-down conversions in the final 10 minutes, including the 14-yarder to Likely that set up the game-winning drive. His poise under pressure, not his stats, defined this game. It was a win born of grit, not glory.
How did the Chiefs’ defense turn things around after a poor first half?
After allowing 17 points in the first half, the Chiefs’ defense held the Colts to just 3 points over the final 30 minutes. They tightened their coverage, forced three three-and-outs, and stopped Jonathan Taylor on a critical third-and-one with 1:18 left in regulation. Linebacker Nick Bolton made seven tackles, including a key stop on a screen pass. Their discipline in the second half was the hidden reason Kansas City won.
What does this win mean for the Chiefs’ playoff seeding?
With the win, the Chiefs moved into a tie for the final AFC wild-card spot with the Jets and Raiders. They now control their destiny: win their final four games, and they’re in. Their remaining schedule includes the Chargers, Texans, Broncos, and Raiders—all teams they’ve beaten in the past two seasons. This win wasn’t just about points—it was about momentum, belief, and proving they can win without perfection.
Was there any controversy in the officiating during the final drive?
The pass interference call on Julian Blackmon at the 36-yard line drew some criticism, but replay showed clear contact with Kelce’s arm as he turned for the ball. The NFL later confirmed the call was correct. No penalties were overturned. The bigger controversy? The Colts’ decision to punt on fourth-and-3 from their own 42 with 4:18 left instead of going for it—a move that backfired when Kansas City scored the next two drives. Coaching decisions, not refs, cost them the game.
