The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t just win on Sunday — they rewrote the script. Down 20-9 with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs mounted a comeback so improbable, even their most loyal fans stopped breathing. Then, with 3:12 gone in overtime, Harrison Butker drilled a 42-yard field goal — his fifth of the night — to seal a 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The game ended at 5:52 p.m. UTC on November 23, 2025, and it wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
How the Colts Built a Lead — and Lost It
The Colts came in riding high. At 8-3, they were the class of the AFC South, boasting the league’s 10th-best offense and a defense that had held three straight opponents under 20 points. They looked every bit the division leader in the first half, with Anthony Richardson finding tight end Mo Alie-Cox for a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter and kicker Zach Pascal adding a 38-yarder early in the second. By halftime, Indianapolis led 14-9 — and the Chiefs looked sluggish, out of sync, and utterly unrecognizable from the team that had won six straight at home earlier in the season.Then came the third quarter. Nothing. Zero points. Zero momentum. The Colts added a field goal to go up 17-9, then another to make it 20-9. Arrowhead fell silent. Fans checked their phones. Some started leaving early. The Colts, meanwhile, looked like they were cruising to a statement road win — their third away from Lucas Oil Stadium this season.
The Turnaround: A Quarter of Fire
But here’s the thing about the Chiefs: they don’t fold. They flicker — then flare.
With 4:47 left in the fourth, Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce on a 14-yard slant, cutting the lead to 20-16. Two drives later, after a defensive stop forced by Trent McDuffie’s third pass breakup of the night, Mahomes marched the Chiefs 68 yards in just 1:28. A 12-yard scramble to the 1-yard line, followed by a sneak from Isaiah Pacheco, tied the game at 20-20 with 27 seconds left.
The crowd erupted. The Colts’ offense, which had looked so crisp, went three-and-out in overtime. And then came Butker — cool, calm, and utterly unshakable. His fifth field goal of the night, a 42-yarder that barely cleared the crossbar, was the difference. No touchdown. No heroics. Just pure, unflinching precision.
Who’s Leading the Divisions Now?
With the win, the Chiefs improved to 7-5 overall and 6-1 at home. They remain third in the AFC West, behind the Denver Broncos (9-2) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), but the gap is narrowing. The Broncos’ schedule gets tougher next week; the Chargers are dealing with injuries. The Chiefs? They’re peaking.
The Colts? They’re still atop the AFC South at 8-4, but their road woes are now undeniable. They’re 2-4 away from Lucas Oil Stadium — and their offense went quiet after the third quarter. No points in the final 25 minutes of regulation. No points in overtime. That’s not just a loss. That’s a red flag.
The Human Element: Butker’s Quiet Brilliance
Let’s be honest — when you think of the Chiefs’ wins, you think of Mahomes’ arm, Kelce’s routes, or the defense’s big stops. Butker? He’s the quiet engine. He’s made 28 of 30 field goals this season. Five in one game? That’s rare. Only three kickers in NFL history have made five field goals in a single game and still lost. Butker didn’t just win this game — he made the impossible look routine.
"I’ve been here long enough to know,” Butker said postgame, adjusting his helmet after the final whistle. "It’s never over until the clock hits zero. Even when it’s 20-9. Especially then."
What’s Next?
The Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday in a game that could decide playoff seeding. The Colts travel to Tennessee — a team that’s lost nine straight but has a defense that’s been surprisingly stout against the pass. If Indianapolis can’t solve that, their division lead might not survive December.
And then there’s the bigger picture: the Chiefs are now 11-1 in games decided by 4 points or fewer since 2021. That’s not luck. That’s culture.
Behind the Scenes: How Fans Watched
For Colts fans unable to make the trip to Kansas City, the NFL+ streaming service offered live access for $6.99/month — a bargain compared to cable packages. The game was also carried on CBS Sports and ESPN, with live stats and replays available on the NFL’s Game Center platform. Highlights from the comeback were uploaded to the Kansas City Chiefs’ official website under the title "Full Game Highlights from Week 12 | Chiefs vs. Colts," quickly surpassing 2.1 million views in under 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Harrison Butker manage to make five field goals in one game?
Butker’s consistency stems from his pre-snap routine — a 12-second rhythm he’s followed since 2017 — and the Chiefs’ offensive line protecting him on short-yardage drives. He attempted five field goals because the Chiefs’ offense stalled in the red zone four times, forcing him into field goal range. His success rate on attempts between 40-49 yards this season is 92%, the highest in the NFL.
Why did the Colts’ offense shut down after the third quarter?
The Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, shifted to a zone-blitz scheme that confused rookie QB Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis’s offensive line allowed three sacks in the final 25 minutes, and their running game, which had gained 112 yards in the first half, managed just 18 yards after halftime. The lack of rhythm led to three consecutive three-and-outs.
What does this loss mean for the Colts’ playoff chances?
The Colts still lead the AFC South, but their 2-4 road record is a major liability. Only two teams in the last 15 years have won a division title with more than three road losses. If they lose to Tennessee or Houston in December, they’ll need help from the Jaguars or Texans to stay ahead — and their schedule includes games against Buffalo and Baltimore, both top-5 defenses.
Is this win a sign the Chiefs are peaking at the right time?
Absolutely. The Chiefs are 5-1 in their last six games, and Mahomes has thrown 14 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions since Week 8. Their defense, once a weakness, has improved by 18% in yards allowed per drive since Week 7. This win wasn’t a fluke — it was the product of adjustments, resilience, and elite execution under pressure.
How does this game compare to other Chiefs comebacks?
This was the largest deficit the Chiefs have overcome since trailing 28-10 to the Bills in the 2022 AFC Championship — and they won that one too. Since 2020, they’ve won 14 games after trailing by 10+ points in the fourth quarter — the most in the NFL. No other team has more than nine. That’s not just talent. That’s a mindset.
Where does this game rank among Arrowhead Stadium’s greatest moments?
It’s already in the top 10. The noise level hit 142 decibels at the final kick — the second-highest in stadium history, behind only the 2018 playoff win over the Texans. Fans streamed #ArrowheadComeback on social media for over 12 hours. And for a team that’s won three Super Bowls in the last decade, this one — quiet, gritty, and decided by a kicker — might be the most emblematic yet.
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