The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off a stunning comeback on Sunday, November 23, 2025, overcoming an 11-point deficit to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium. The winning moment came on a cold, crisp 25-yard field goal by Harrison Butker — his fifth of the night — sealing a victory that felt more like a miracle than a strategy. No touchdowns. No explosive drives. Just grit, discipline, and one of the most reliable legs in NFL history. And yet, it was enough.
From Trailing to Tying: The Slow Burn Comeback
The Colts looked dominant early. Kicker Michael Badgley nailed three field goals in the first half, including one that stretched their lead to 17-6 — an 11-point cushion that had fans wondering if the Chiefs’ season was unraveling. Kansas City, meanwhile, went scoreless through the first 30 minutes. They became the fourth team this season to fail to score a touchdown in the first half. No one expected them to recover.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t the same Kansas City Chiefs team from 2023. They’ve changed. They’ve adapted. And when they’re down, they don’t panic — they just keep kicking. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t need to throw for 400 yards or scramble for three touchdowns. He just needed to keep the chains moving. A 14-play, 78-yard drive in the fourth quarter, capped by a Harrison Butker 38-yard field goal, tied the game at 20-20 with 1:47 left. The crowd roared. The Colts’ defense, exhausted, looked stunned.
Butker’s Masterclass: Five Kicks, One Legacy
It wasn’t just the final kick that won the game. It was the consistency. Butker’s five field goals — from 25, 38, 41, 47, and finally 25 yards in overtime — set a new personal best and tied the franchise record for most field goals in a single game. He didn’t miss. Not once. Not even when the wind picked up in the third quarter. Not even when the Colts’ defense started stacking the line, daring him to prove he could still do it.
“He’s not just a kicker,” said former Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub after the game. “He’s a pressure artist. He thrives when everyone else is crumbling.”
Butker’s performance also made him the first kicker in NFL history to make five field goals in a game where his team scored zero touchdowns in regulation. That’s not luck. That’s mastery.
Historic Irony: The Colts’ Own Record Backfired
There’s an odd twist here that even seasoned fans missed. Earlier this season, the Indianapolis Colts became the first team in NFL history to win all five of their victories by double-digit margins while sitting at 5-5. Now, they’ve lost their sixth game — and it was by a single point. The irony? The Kansas City Chiefs had done the same thing just weeks ago: five wins, all by double-digit margins, at 5-5. Now, they’re 6-5. And they’re still alive.
That’s not a coincidence. It’s a pattern. Teams that win big but lose close often struggle to find balance. The Chiefs have learned to win ugly. The Colts haven’t.
Conference Implications: AFC West and Beyond
The win kept the Kansas City Chiefs in third place in the AFC West, behind the Denver Broncos (9-2) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-4). But with the Chargers losing to the Titans the same day, the gap narrowed. Kansas City’s 6-5 record now looks less like a collapse and more like a slow rebuild — one built on resilience, not flash.
For the Colts, the loss dropped them to 8-3, but their road record fell to 2-4. That’s a problem. In the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) are breathing down their neck. A loss like this — at home, in overtime, to a team that couldn’t score a touchdown — raises questions about their ability to win close games.
What’s Next?
The Kansas City Chiefs head into Week 13 with a tough road trip to face the Las Vegas Raiders (2-9). A win there would put them at 7-5 and back in the playoff conversation. But they’ll need more than Butker’s leg. They’ll need Mahomes to make a few more plays. They’ll need the defense to hold up. And they’ll need to stop letting teams hang around.
For the Colts, the path is murkier. Their next game against the Tennessee Titans could define their season. If they lose, they’re suddenly on the outside looking in. If they win? They might still have a shot.
Why This Matters
This game wasn’t about touchdowns. It wasn’t about star power. It was about who can stay calm when everything falls apart. The Kansas City Chiefs proved they still have that edge. The Indianapolis Colts showed they might not.
And Harrison Butker? He didn’t just win the game. He rewrote what we think a kicker can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Harrison Butker manage to make five field goals without a single touchdown?
The Kansas City Chiefs struggled to convert red zone opportunities, with three drives ending in field goals instead of touchdowns. Butker’s accuracy under pressure — especially on longer kicks like the 47-yarder — kept them in the game. His five field goals accounted for all 15 of Kansas City’s points before overtime, making him the first kicker in NFL history to score all of his team’s points in a regulation game with zero touchdowns.
What was the significance of the pass interference call in the fourth quarter?
With under three minutes left and the Chiefs trailing 20-17, a critical pass interference penalty on Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marlon Mack extended a key drive that led to Butker’s tying 38-yard field goal. The call was controversial but upheld after review, giving Kansas City new life. Without it, the Chiefs likely run out of time and lose in regulation.
Why did the Colts fail to score in the fourth quarter despite having a strong offense?
The Colts offense, which had scored 341 points through 11 games, was stifled by a Chiefs defense that switched to a prevent-heavy scheme after halftime. Kansas City’s linebackers, led by Nick Bolton, disrupted timing on short passes, and the Colts’ offensive line couldn’t handle the pressure. They went 0-for-4 on third downs in the final quarter.
How does this win affect the Chiefs’ playoff chances?
At 6-5, the Kansas City Chiefs are now tied with the Los Angeles Chargers for the final AFC wild card spot. With two games against teams under .500 remaining, including the Raiders and Texans, their path to the playoffs is clearer — but they need to win at least two of their last three. A loss in Week 13 would make things extremely tight.
Was this the first time the Chiefs won a game without scoring a touchdown?
No — but it was the first time since 2003 they won a game without a touchdown in regulation. The last time was a 17-14 win over the San Diego Chargers in 2003, where kicker Adam Vinatieri made four field goals. Butker’s five-field-goal performance is the most ever in a touchdown-free win in NFL history.
What does this mean for the Colts’ season moving forward?
The Indianapolis Colts are now 8-3, but their road struggles (2-4) and inability to close out tight games (three losses by 4 points or fewer) are growing concerns. With the Jacksonville Jaguars closing in and a brutal schedule ahead — including games against the Bills and Ravens — their window to secure a top-two seed is narrowing. They need to start winning close games, not just dominating weaker teams.
