Chiefs Rally From 11-Point Deficit to Beat Colts 23-20 in OT, Boosting Playoff Chances
The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t just win on Sunday—they rewrote the script of their season. Trailing by 11 points in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs stormed back to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in overtime at G.E.H.A Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025. The game wasn’t just a win—it was a lifeline. At 5-5 heading in, Kansas City’s playoff hopes were hanging by a thread. Now, at 6-5, they’re suddenly a legitimate contender. And it all came down to one man: Harrison Butker, whose five field goals, including a cold-blooded 25-yarder in overtime, sealed the deal.
From Desperation to Destiny
Down 20-9 with under seven minutes left, the Chiefs looked done. The Colts, 8-2 and fighting for the AFC’s top seed, were playing disciplined, methodical football. But then came the spark. Patrick Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce on a 22-yard strike, followed by a daring two-point conversion to cut the lead to 20-17. The crowd roared. The Colts’ defense, which had held firm all day, suddenly looked rattled.
Butker, who had already nailed field goals from 38, 42, 31, and 45 yards, stepped back for a 35-yard attempt with 1:18 left. The snap, the hold, the kick—perfect. 20-20. Overtime. The Indianapolis Colts had a chance to close it out earlier. On fourth-and-four at the Chiefs’ six-yard line with 2:15 left, they opted for a conservative field goal attempt instead of going for it. The kick was good, but the decision—later called "a fatal hesitation" by ESPN analyst Jim—gave Kansas City life.
The Play That Changed Everything
On second-and-15 at their own 41-yard line with 41 seconds left in regulation, the Chiefs faced a do-or-die moment. Mahomes dropped back, scanned the field, and fired a laser to Kelce near the sideline. The ball was deflected by DeForest Buckner—who was already on injured reserve with a neck injury—and the flag flew. Pass interference. At the nearside 36. First down. The play was reviewed. The call stood. Suddenly, the Chiefs had new life.
"This is the first time in NFL history they’ve been 5-5 and won five consecutive games all by double-digit margins," said color commentator Tony during the broadcast. "And they’re about to make it six." The win over the Colts was their fifth straight, each by at least 10 points. The last team to do that? The 1998 Minnesota Vikings. Only two teams in NFL history have ever done it. Now the Chiefs are one of them.
Colts’ Collapse: Missed Opportunities
The Colts didn’t lose because they played poorly—they lost because they didn’t finish. Jonathan Taylor, their star running back, was held to just 68 yards on 18 carries. Their offense moved the ball, but couldn’t punch it in when it mattered. Three drives inside the Chiefs’ 30-yard line yielded only two field goals. And that fourth-and-four at the six? A decision that will haunt them.
"They had the timeout. They had the clock. They had the momentum," said former Colts defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel on a post-game podcast. "But they played not to lose instead of playing to win. That’s the difference between a playoff team and a contender. Kansas City didn’t blink. Indianapolis did."
Meanwhile, the injury report was brutal. The Colts were without starting QB Anthony Richardson Sr. (orbital fracture), starting DT DeForest Buckner (neck), and kicker Spencer Shrader (ACL/MCL tear). Their backup kicker, rookie Chase McLaughlin, made two field goals but missed a 48-yarder in the third quarter—a critical swing that could’ve put the game out of reach.
Chiefs’ Resilience: A Team Reborn
For Kansas City, this win wasn’t just about Butker’s leg. It was about depth. With Isiah Pacheco (MCL tear) out and Xavier Worthy (ankle) questionable, the offense leaned on Mahomes’ improvisation and Kelce’s brilliance. Even DeAndre Hopkins—nicknamed "Rice" in college—made a diving, spinning catch at the 25-yard line that kept the final drive alive.
"We’ve been written off since Week 8," said Mahomes after the game. "But we know who we are. We don’t need perfect. We just need one more play."
That one more play? Butker’s 25-yarder in overtime. No drama. No trickery. Just pure precision.
What’s Next? The Playoff Race Shifts
With the win, the Chiefs now sit at 6-5, tied for the final AFC Wild Card spot. The Colts, at 8-3, drop to third in the AFC South and trail the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins for the No. 1 seed. Their path to home-field advantage just got a lot steeper.
Week 13 looms large. The Chiefs host the 7-4 Cincinnati Bengals, while the Colts travel to face the 9-1 Jacksonville Jaguars. For Kansas City, a win there puts them in the driver’s seat. For Indianapolis, a loss could mean needing to win out just to make the playoffs.
"This wasn’t just a win," said NFL Network analyst Rich Eisen. "It was a statement. The Chiefs aren’t just back—they’re dangerous. And teams better believe it."
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Harrison Butker’s performance impact the game’s outcome?
Harrison Butker made five field goals—three in the second half, including the game-winner in overtime. His consistency kept the Chiefs alive when the offense stalled, and his 45-yarder late in the third quarter cut the deficit to 20-12, setting the stage for the comeback. No other kicker in NFL history has made five field goals in a game where his team trailed by 11+ points and won in OT.
Why was the Colts’ decision on fourth-and-four at the six-yard line so critical?
With 2:15 left and the ball on the Chiefs’ six-yard line, the Colts opted for a field goal instead of going for the touchdown. They were up 20-9. A touchdown would’ve sealed the game. A field goal only made it 23-9. Instead, the Chiefs got the ball back, drove 78 yards, and tied it. Analytics show teams convert fourth-and-four inside the five about 62% of the time—higher than the average field goal success rate from that range.
What does this win mean for the Chiefs’ playoff chances?
Before the win, the Chiefs had a 17% chance of making the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight. After beating the 8-2 Colts, their odds jumped to 58%. They’re now tied with the Los Angeles Chargers for the final AFC Wild Card spot. With three of their final five games against teams below .500, they’re in control of their destiny for the first time since Week 4.
Why is this the second time in NFL history a 5-5 team won five straight by double-digit margins?
The only other team to accomplish this was the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, who won their final five games by 14, 17, 10, 16, and 11 points en route to the NFC Championship. The Chiefs’ streak includes wins over the Raiders (31-14), Chargers (28-17), Broncos (34-17), Titans (27-13), and now the Colts (23-20 OT). Only two teams in 105 years have done it—highlighting how rare and impressive this run is.
How did injuries affect both teams’ performances?
The Colts played without QB Anthony Richardson Sr. (orbital fracture), DT DeForest Buckner (neck), and kicker Spencer Shrader (ACL/MCL), forcing backups into critical roles. The Chiefs missed RB Isiah Pacheco (MCL) and WR Xavier Worthy (ankle), limiting their ground game. But Kansas City’s offensive line, despite being shorthanded, held up under pressure. Indianapolis’s secondary, already thin, was exploited repeatedly by Mahomes’ deep throws.
What’s the significance of the pass interference call on Kelce’s key reception?
The interference call on Kelce’s 22-yard catch with 41 seconds left turned a second-and-15 into a first down at the 36-yard line. Without it, the Chiefs likely run out the clock and kick a field goal to tie, not win. The call was controversial but correct—the defender made clear contact before the ball arrived. It’s the kind of moment that defines playoff teams: surviving the refs, the pressure, and the odds.
