Chiefs Beat Red-Hot Colts in Overtime, 23–20

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Week 12 with a record of 5–5, desperately needing a victory to maintain their position in the AFC playoff race. The Indianapolis Colts, sporting an impressive 8–2, were led by quarterback Daniel Jones and standout running back Jonathan Taylor. For the majority of the matchup, the Colts held the advantage. However, Patrick Mahomes, Kareem Hunt, and kicker Harrison Butker orchestrated a thrilling comeback, ultimately securing a 23–20 victory in overtime.

Colts Start Strong, Chiefs Kick Their Way Back

Indianapolis commenced the game explosively, with Taylor demonstrating his power running and Jones executing quick passes to Michael Pittman Jr. and his tight ends. Approaching the goal line, Jones connected with Pittman for a short touchdown, establishing a 7–0 lead.

The Chiefs’ initial drive was disastrous, ending in an interception by a defensive lineman who picked off a short pass intended for Rashee Rice at the Chiefs' 6-yard line. Although the Kansas City defense managed to prevent further scoring by pushing the Colts backward, the early turnover significantly impacted the game’s momentum.

In the second quarter, the Chiefs finally got on the scoreboard with a 28-yard field goal from Butker. The Colts responded with another impressive drive, culminating in Jones' 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alec Ogletree, extending their lead to 14–3. The Chiefs made several advances but stumbled near the red zone. Mahomes successfully connected with Travis Kelce and his running backs for valuable yardage, yet each drive concluded with Butker kicking field goals from 48 and 22 yards. This left the halftime score at 14–9, keeping Kansas City within striking distance.

Colts Stretch the Lead, But Don’t Put KC Away

During the third quarter, the Colts appeared to be on the verge of a decisive victory. Jones effectively utilized Josh Downs, Tyler Warren, and Alec Pierce in the passing game, while Taylor exploited the edges for significant gains. On two separate occasions, the Chiefs' defense held strong inside the 20-yard line, compelling Michael Badgley to settle for field goals from 32 and 23 yards. The score increased to 20–9, but the Colts missed opportunities to further distance themselves from Kansas City with touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ offense faced challenges. Mahomes encountered sacks, overshot deep passes aimed at Xavier Worthy, and saw plays negated by penalties. Hunt proved to be a reliable asset, consistently battling for difficult yards and preventing the Chiefs from being relegated to frequent punts. Nevertheless, as the fourth quarter approached, Kansas City found itself trailing by 11 points and in dire need of a significant play.

Mahomes, Hunt, and Butker Finish the Job

The comeback effort commenced early in the fourth quarter. Following a Colts punt, Mahomes orchestrated a long drive characterized by rapid passes to Rice, Noah Gray, and Worthy, along with a crucial scramble near the goal line. From the 2-yard line, Hunt barreled forward for the Chiefs’ first touchdown. In a critical two-point conversion attempt, Mahomes successfully connected with Rice, narrowing the deficit to 20–17.

The Chiefs’ defense once more stepped up, effectively stalling Taylor and minimizing yardage on short completions. As regulation time dwindled, Mahomes directed another drive that advanced easily into field-goal range. With mere seconds remaining, Butker calmly converted a 25-yard field goal to tie the game at 20–20, thereby forcing overtime.

Kansas City commenced the extra period with a kickoff, and the defense quickly made its mark, prompting a swift Colts punt. Mahomes then went on the offensive. He connected with Worthy for a 31-yard gain down the sideline and found Rice across the middle for another 21 yards, positioning the team well within field-goal territory. A couple of strategic runs by Hunt helped center the ball and consume valuable time off the clock.

With 2:00 remaining in overtime, Butker prepared to attempt his fifth field goal of the day, a 27-yarder. As before, he struck true, sending the ball straight through the uprights.

This triumph elevates the Chiefs to a 6–5 record, preserving their ambitions for the playoffs. For the Colts, now sitting at 8–3, the outcome serves as a poignant reminder that field goals alone may not suffice when Mahomes is poised for one final opportunity.