The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off a stunning 23-20 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts on November 23, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri — not with a dazzling touchdown pass, but with grit, precision, and sheer will. Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ legendary quarterback, threw for 352 yards and zero touchdowns, yet somehow led his team to victory. No touchdowns. No flashy highlights. Just relentless drive after drive, capped by Harrison Butker’s clutch 42-yard field goal in overtime. The win snapped a two-game skid and kept the Chiefs’ playoff hopes alive at 6-5, while the Colts — previously 8-2 and tied for the best record in the AFC — saw their perfect season unravel in the final seconds.
How Mahomes Won Without Throwing a TD
It sounds impossible. A quarterback throws for over 350 yards, completes 27 of 39 passes, and doesn’t find the end zone once. But that’s exactly what happened. Mahomes didn’t need touchdowns. He needed time, space, and trust. And he got both. His connection with rookie wideout Isaiah Rice on fourth-and-10 at the Colts’ 48-yard line — a contested, twisting catch that moved the chains — was the turning point. "Someone has to win one-on-one," said announcer Jim on the YouTube highlights. "Mahomes passes... and it’s caught. What a catch by Rice." That play, followed by a two-point conversion conversion that barely cleared the crossbar, set up Butker’s game-winning kick. The Chiefs’ offense, once criticized for being too reliant on big plays, became a patient, methodical machine — chipping away with short passes and clock-killing drives.
The Defense That Shut Down a Phenom
While Mahomes kept the ball moving, the Chiefs’ defense did the unthinkable: they neutralized Jonathan Taylor. The NFL’s most explosive running back entered the game with seven straight games of 100+ yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Against Kansas City? He rushed for just 57 yards on 18 carries — his lowest total since Week 2 — and failed to score for only the fifth time all year. "They shut one of the most high-powered offenses in the league down," wrote Sports Illustrated. "Taylor was a non-factor. That’s not luck. That’s execution." Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s game plan was simple: force the Colts to pass. And when they did, the Chiefs’ secondary held firm. Quarterback Anthony Richardson completed just 18 of 31 passes, with two interceptions and constant pressure from Chris Jones and Trent McDuffie.
A Season on the Brink — Until Now
Just two weeks prior, the Chiefs looked like a team in freefall. They lost 27-24 to the Buffalo Bills in a game where Mahomes threw two costly interceptions. Then came the crushing 24-18 defeat to the Denver Broncos on November 16 — a game sealed by a 35-yard field goal as time expired. The narrative had shifted: Was the dynasty fading? Were the Chargers and Raiders finally catching up? The loss to Denver was so brutal, fans were already drafting playoff obituaries. But this win? It wasn’t just a comeback. It was a statement. "The Chiefs proved that their dynasty isn’t over," Sports Illustrated concluded. "They have just as much of a chance to win the Super Bowl as the teams with better records."
What This Means for the Playoff Race
With the win, Kansas City moves into a tie for the final AFC Wild Card spot with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Colts, meanwhile, drop to 8-3 and fall behind the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans in the AFC standings. The timing couldn’t be worse for Indianapolis — they were coming off a historic 244-yard, three-touchdown performance by Taylor in Berlin against the Atlanta Falcons just days before. Now, they’re left wondering how a team that barely crossed midfield in the first half managed to outlast them in overtime. The Chiefs’ next challenge? A road trip to Dallas to face the Dallas Cowboys, who themselves survived a last-second 31-30 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. A loss there would put Kansas City back on the brink. A win? It could vault them into the top half of the AFC.
Behind the Scenes: The Miscommunication That Almost Cost Them
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Midway through the third quarter, a miscommunication between Mahomes and Rice on a slant route resulted in a tipped interception — the first time all season the Chiefs’ offense had turned the ball over in the red zone. "Miscommunication really hurts Indianapolis," said one commentator, though he meant the Chiefs. The error briefly shifted momentum, giving the Colts a chance to pull ahead. But Kansas City’s resilience shone through. Mahomes didn’t flinch. He adjusted. He trusted his receivers more. He took fewer risks. And when it mattered most, he found Rice again — this time with a 30-yard strike down the sideline, evading a blitzing linebacker. "He’s got all kinds of time," said Tony. "And Kelce is able to double clutch at the 48-yard line... contested. That’s playoff football."
What’s Next for the Chiefs?
Next up: a Monday night showdown in Arlington, Texas, against the Cowboys. Dallas, riding high after their last-second win over Philadelphia, will be hungry for revenge after losing to the Chiefs in Week 5. The game will be a true test of whether Kansas City is truly back — or just getting lucky. For Mahomes, it’s another chance to silence doubters. For Butker, another opportunity to be the hero. And for a fanbase that nearly gave up? A reason to believe again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Patrick Mahomes win without throwing a touchdown?
Mahomes didn’t need touchdowns — he needed field position and patience. His 352 passing yards came on 27 completions, mostly short and intermediate throws that moved the chains. He relied on Harrison Butker’s leg and a defense that stifled Jonathan Taylor. The game-winning drive was built on third-down conversions and a critical fourth-down catch by Isaiah Rice, not end-zone heroics.
Why was Jonathan Taylor’s performance so significant?
Taylor entered the game with 12 touchdowns and seven straight 100-yard games. Holding him to 57 yards and no scores was only the fifth time this season he failed to reach the end zone — and only the second time he was held under 60 yards. The Chiefs’ defensive line and linebacker play disrupted his rhythm, forcing the Colts into predictable passing situations.
What impact does this win have on the Chiefs’ playoff chances?
The win improved Kansas City’s record to 6-5, tying them with the Raiders for the final AFC Wild Card spot. With five games left, they’re no longer an afterthought — they’re a threat. A win over the Cowboys could put them in the top six, while a loss would make their path much tougher. Their remaining schedule includes games against playoff-caliber teams in Seattle and Las Vegas.
How does this compare to past Chiefs’ comebacks?
This was reminiscent of their 2019 AFC Championship win over the Titans — no touchdown passes, but relentless clock control and defense. It’s the rare kind of win that doesn’t rely on Mahomes’ magic, but on discipline. Unlike the 2020 Super Bowl, where he threw for four touchdowns, this was a win by committee: defense, special teams, and a quarterback who knew when to be efficient, not spectacular.
What went wrong for the Colts in overtime?
After winning in overtime in Berlin against Atlanta, the Colts’ offense looked unstoppable. But in Kansas City, they failed to convert a single third down in overtime. Two penalties on the drive — including a holding call on rookie tackle Kellen Moore — killed momentum. And when they finally got to the Chiefs’ 35-yard line, quarterback Anthony Richardson threw an incomplete pass on third down, forcing a field goal attempt that was blocked by Trent McDuffie.
Is this the start of a new Chiefs’ resurgence?
It’s too early to say, but the signs are promising. The offensive line held up against a fierce Colts pass rush. The secondary didn’t give up a single long completion. And Mahomes, for the first time in weeks, looked calm under pressure — not desperate. If they can replicate this performance against Dallas and Seattle, the AFC playoffs could look very different by January.
