by Chiefs rally from 11-point deficit to beat Colts 23-20 in OT on Harrison Butker's fifth field goal
24 Nov, 2025The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t just win on Sunday—they clawed their way back from the edge of elimination. Trailing by 11 points in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs stunned the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in overtime at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025, thanks to a cold-blooded 27-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Butker. It was his fifth of the day. No touchdowns. No flashy plays. Just pure, unrelenting precision under pressure. And it kept their playoff hopes alive.
How the Comeback Unfolded
The Colts, fresh off a dramatic 34-31 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, came into Week 12 tied for the top of the AFC. Their offense, ranked No. 1 in the league, looked unstoppable. But by the fourth quarter, they had built a commanding 20-9 lead. Fans were already packing up. The game seemed over.
Then everything changed.
The Chiefs’ offense, which had sputtered for three quarters—hampered by penalties, misfires, and a sluggish running game—finally found its rhythm. With 4:43 left, Patrick Mahomes took over. He didn’t throw a touchdown. He didn’t even need to. He methodically carved up the Colts’ defense, hitting Rashee Rice for 47 yards, then 19 more on fourth-and-3 near midfield. Two plays later, Butker drilled a 41-yarder to make it 20-12. The crowd roared. The Colts, suddenly silent, looked rattled.
Butker’s Masterclass
Harrison Butker didn’t just kick five field goals—he kicked them under the kind of pressure most kickers only dream of. He made them from 38, 41, 32, 47, and finally, 27 yards in overtime. Five. In one game. No misses. No hesitation. He became the first Chiefs kicker since 2018 to hit five field goals in a single game, and only the third in NFL history to do so without a single touchdown pass from his quarterback.
“It’s not about the distance,” Butker said afterward. “It’s about the moment. And we were in enough of them tonight to earn this.”
His consistency was the difference. The Chiefs’ offense, despite Mahomes’ season-high 346 yards (ESPN) or 352 yards (CBS Sports), managed zero touchdowns. They relied on Butker to turn drives into points. And when the Colts’ defense held them to field goals instead of touchdowns, it was the Chiefs’ defense that stepped up—forcing four straight three-and-outs to seal the win.
The Defense That Saved the Season
Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, often criticized this season for inconsistency, delivered its most complete performance of the year. The Colts, who entered the game averaging 34.1 points per game, were held to just 255 total yards—their lowest output since Week 1. Daniel Jones, starting in place of the injured Anthony Richardson Sr., completed only 8 of 18 passes in the second half and finished with a season-low 181 yards.
But the real story was Jonathan Taylor. The league’s leading rusher coming in, Taylor carried just 16 times for 58 yards—far below his 244-yard, three-TD performance in Berlin. “We went away from him down the stretch,” admitted a frustrated Colts offensive coordinator postgame. “We thought we could outscore them. We didn’t.”
The Chiefs’ defense didn’t just stop the run—they suffocated it. On the final four possessions, the Colts managed just 11 total yards. The game ended with a 10-yard sack on third down, forcing a punt that gave Mahomes one last shot in overtime.
What This Means for the Playoff Race
Before this game, the Chiefs were 5-5 and sitting outside the AFC playoff picture. A loss would’ve made their path nearly impossible. Now, at 6-5, they’re alive—just one game behind the Houston Texans for the final wild-card spot. Their next three games? Home against the Las Vegas Raiders, on the road at the Buffalo Bills, then back at Arrowhead against the Los Angeles Chargers. All winnable. All critical.
For the Colts, the loss is devastating. They were tied for first in the AFC. Now they’re 8-3, with a tough stretch ahead: road games against the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Their offense, once the league’s most explosive, now looks brittle. The absence of Richardson has exposed their lack of depth at quarterback. And their inability to close out games—now two losses in three weeks after leading by 11+ points—is becoming a pattern.
The Human Element Behind the Stats
Kareem Hunt, 30, carried the ball 30 times for 104 yards. He’s not the flashiest back, but he’s the engine that keeps the Chiefs’ offense moving when Mahomes is under siege. His runs ate clock. His blocks kept Mahomes upright. He didn’t score, but he was as vital as Butker’s kicks.
And then there’s Mahomes. He threw for 352 yards. No touchdowns. One interception. Yet he didn’t panic. He didn’t force throws. He trusted his teammates. That’s the mark of a true leader. He didn’t need to be the hero. He just needed to be steady.
The Chiefs’ win wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But it was real. And in November, in the middle of a playoff race, that’s all that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Harrison Butker manage to make five field goals in one game without a single touchdown?
Butker’s five field goals came from distances of 38, 41, 32, 47, and 27 yards—all under pressure. The Chiefs’ offense, led by Mahomes, struggled to reach the end zone, managing only one touchdown all game (a Kareem Hunt run). Butker’s consistency turned 11 drives into 15 points, making him the difference-maker. Only three NFL kickers in history have made five field goals in a game without a single touchdown pass.
Why did the Colts’ offense collapse in the fourth quarter?
After building a 20-9 lead, the Colts abandoned their run game, carrying Jonathan Taylor just four times in the final 12 minutes. Daniel Jones struggled under pressure, completing only 8 of 18 second-half passes. The Chiefs’ defense, led by Spagnuolo, shifted to prevent big plays and forced three-and-outs on their final four possessions. The result: 11 total yards and zero points in the final 12 minutes.
What impact does this loss have on the Colts’ playoff chances?
The Colts are now 8-3, tied for second in the AFC North but no longer in first place. With road games against the Bills and Patriots looming, and their offense showing signs of fatigue, their path to a first-round bye is narrowing. They’ve now lost two of their last three games after leading by double digits—raising questions about their ability to close out tough matchups.
How critical is this win for the Chiefs’ playoff hopes?
Before this win, the Chiefs were 5-5 and on the outside looking in. Now at 6-5, they’re one game back of the final wild-card spot. With home-field advantage still possible and a favorable schedule ahead, this win kept their season alive. A loss would’ve made their path nearly impossible—especially with injuries to Isiah Pacheco and the loss of key offensive linemen earlier in the season.
What role did Rashee Rice play in the comeback?
Rice caught eight passes for 141 yards, including a 47-yard grab that moved the ball into Colts territory and a critical 19-yard reception on fourth-and-3 with under a minute left in regulation. His ability to win contested catches and extend drives gave Mahomes the time and space to keep the offense alive when the Chiefs needed it most.
Why was Anthony Richardson absent, and how did it affect the Colts?
Quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. was inactive due to an orbital injury, placing him on injured reserve. His absence forced Daniel Jones into the starting role, and while Jones had been effective in relief earlier, he lacked the mobility and playmaking ability Richardson brings. The Colts’ offense became predictable, relying too heavily on the pass in critical moments, which the Chiefs defense exploited.