With the clock ticking down in overtime and the crowd roaring like a tornado hitting Arrowhead, Harrison Butker stepped onto the field for the fifth time that day — this time, with a 42-yard field goal to win the game. The Kansas City Chiefs had just completed one of the most improbable comebacks of the season, erasing an 11-point deficit in the final 12 minutes to beat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 on , at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The win didn’t just keep their playoff hopes alive — it revived them.
A Season on the Brink
Entering Week 12, the Chiefs were in unfamiliar territory: 5-5, reeling from injuries, and barely clinging to relevance in the AFC playoff race. Their last five games had all gone under the total — a statistical oddity that mirrored their frustrating season. Patrick Mahomes had been playing through a rib injury. Running back Isiah Pacheco was out for the game with a torn MCL. And wide receiver Xavier Worthy was questionable. The offense looked disjointed. The defense? Barely functional. Meanwhile, the Colts rolled into town at 8-2, fresh off a wild 31-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin — yes, Berlin — where Jonathan Taylor ran for 244 yards and three touchdowns. They were tied for the AFC’s best record. A win here would’ve been a statement: We’re the team to beat.The Collapse That Wasn’t
The Colts looked dominant early. Quarterback Anthony Richardson (playing despite a lingering orbital injury) hit receivers with precision. Their defense held the Chiefs to three-and-outs. By the start of the fourth quarter, Indianapolis led 20-9. Fans were already packing up. The Chiefs’ season seemed done. Then came the turn. Kareem Hunt burst through a gap on a 12-yard touchdown run with 11:42 left. The defense forced a three-and-out. Then, with 4:17 remaining, Patrick Mahomes hit Travis Kelce on a 28-yard slant — a play that looked like it came from 2020, not 2025. The Chiefs tied it at 20-20 with 1:52 left. The Colts had a chance to win it in regulation. But a 51-yard field goal attempt by backup kicker Spencer Shrader — filling in for the injured Spencer Shrader — hooked left. The stadium held its breath. Then exploded.The Fifth Kick
Overtime. No coin toss advantage. Just pure, unfiltered pressure. The Chiefs got the ball first. Mahomes moved them 48 yards in eight plays, mixing runs by Jaleel McLaughlin (who had earlier scored a 4-yard TD in the third quarter) and short passes to Kelce. The drive chewed up 4:18. When they reached the Colts’ 30-yard line, it was time. Harrison Butker — the same guy who’d already nailed kicks from 48, 39, 35, and 31 yards — lined up for his fifth. The snap was clean. The hold, perfect. The kick? Pure. High. True. Through the uprights. The stadium went silent for a split second — then erupted. Butker didn’t celebrate. He didn’t point to the sky. He just walked off, helmet in hand, like he’d done this a hundred times before. He had.
The Ripple Effect
The loss dropped the Colts to 8-3, slipping behind the 6-4 Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South. Their path to the top seed? Now a mountain. They’re still good — but now they’re chasing. For the Chiefs? It’s a lifeline. At 6-5, they’re one game behind the Las Vegas Raiders for the final playoff spot. Their next four opponents? The Broncos, Chargers, Titans, and Texans — all teams with losing records. The playoffs aren’t guaranteed, but they’re alive. And suddenly, the Chiefs feel like the team nobody wants to face.Who’s Out? Who’s Back?
Injuries shaped this game as much as the scoreboard. The Colts were missing defensive stalwarts DeForest Buckner (neck, out for at least two more weeks) and Jaylon Carlies (ankle, out until Nov. 30). Their offensive line looked shaky without them. And though Richardson played, his mobility was limited — a fact the Chiefs exploited with aggressive blitzes. Kansas City’s injuries were just as brutal. Pacheco’s absence forced Hunt into a bigger role. And with Kingsley Suamataia questionable at tackle, Mahomes spent the second half scrambling for his life. Yet here’s the twist: the Chiefs didn’t win because they were healthy. They won because they refused to quit.
What’s Next?
The Chiefs host the Denver Broncos next Sunday. A win there, and they’re firmly back in the conversation. A loss? They’ll need to win all four of their final games — and hope for chaos. The Colts? They head to Houston to face a Texans team that just beat the Patriots. A loss there, and their AFC title hopes could collapse. This wasn’t just a game. It was a turning point.Frequently Asked Questions
How many field goals did Harrison Butker make in the game?
Harrison Butker made five field goals in the game — from 48, 39, 35, 31, and the game-winning 42-yarder in overtime. It was the first time in his career he made five field goals in a single game, and only the fifth time in NFL history a kicker did so in a game decided by a field goal in overtime.
Why was this game so crucial for the Chiefs’ playoff chances?
Before the win, the Chiefs were 5-5 and on the outside looking in at the AFC playoff picture. With six games left, they needed to win at least five to have a realistic shot. This victory gave them momentum, a win over a top-tier opponent, and crucial tiebreaker leverage. They’re now tied with three other teams for the final wild-card spot.
What impact did the Colts’ injuries have on the game?
The Colts were missing two key defensive linemen — DeForest Buckner and Jaylon Carlies — which opened lanes for Kareem Hunt and Jaleel McLaughlin. Their secondary was also thin due to Mike Hilton’s shoulder injury. That allowed Mahomes to find Kelce repeatedly in the fourth quarter, turning what looked like a rout into a nail-biter.
Did the over/under betting line affect the game’s outcome?
The total was set at 48.5 points. The final score was 43 — the sixth straight game for the Chiefs where the over failed to hit. That trend reflects their recent offensive inconsistency and defensive resilience under pressure. Oddsmakers now see the Chiefs as a low-scoring, high-stakes team — not the explosive offense of past years.
How does this loss affect the Colts’ division standings?
The loss dropped the Colts to 8-3 and second place in the AFC South, behind the 6-4 Jacksonville Jaguars. With two head-to-head matchups remaining against Jacksonville, the Colts now need to win out and hope the Jaguars stumble. Their path to the No. 1 seed in the AFC is now far more difficult.
What’s the significance of the game being played in Berlin?
The Colts’ previous game was played in Berlin against the Falcons — part of the NFL’s International Series. That game, a 31-28 overtime win, was physically and mentally draining. Travel fatigue, time zone disruption, and the pressure of playing abroad may have contributed to their sluggish start and late collapse in Kansas City.