Chiefs Beat Colts 33-30 in Overtime, Improve to 2-0

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Indianapolis Colts 33-30 in overtime on Sunday, improving to 2-0 to start the season, according to NBC News. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

How did the Chiefs win the game?

Kicker Harrison Butker made a 40-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to give Kansas City the walk-off win, NBC News reported. The victory came after the Chiefs thought they had already won the game in regulation, though the outcome was not settled until Butker's kick, per the report.

Why does an eighth straight overtime win matter?

The win was Kansas City's eighth consecutive overtime win in the regular season, tying an NFL record also held by the San Francisco 49ers from 2003 to 2010, according to NBC News. Mahomes now has 25 career game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime, the outlet reported.

Tight end Travis Kelce, who caught the moment on the sideline before the final kick, said there was little doubt about the result. "There was never a doubt that we were going to get that win," Kelce said, according to NBC News.

Mahomes offered a similar read on the win in comments carried by NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcast. "That's what this NFL is about is just finding a way to win games," Mahomes said, per the report.

What changed from last season's struggles in close games?

Kansas City built its identity on winning tight games, reeling off a 17-game streak in contests decided by 8 points or less under coach Andy Reid, a run that helped produce three Super Bowl titles, according to NBC News. That streak ended in the first game of last season. From there, the Chiefs finished 1-9 in one-score games last year, a collapse NBC News attributed to inconsistent play from Mahomes before a season-ending knee injury and a thinning supporting cast at receiver and running back.

Kelce, one of the most prolific pass-catchers at his position, had one of his worst statistical seasons last year, NBC News reported. On the ground, the Chiefs ranked near the bottom third of the league in yards per carry.

Mahomes tore two ligaments in his left knee last December, ending his season, according to the report.

Is Mahomes fully healthy now?

NBC News reported that Mahomes "appears uninhibited" by the knee injury through two games this season. His 382-yard, three-touchdown performance against Indianapolis came with a supporting cast the outlet described as reshaped around him, including newer playmakers alongside Kelce. Running back Kenneth Walker III and receiver Jalen Royals were both shown celebrating a touchdown with Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium, according to a photo caption in the NBC News report.

Where does Kansas City stand in the AFC?

At 2-0, the Chiefs are one of four remaining undefeated teams in the AFC, joining Las Vegas, Cincinnati and Buffalo, according to NBC News.

By the numbers

• 382 passing yards for Mahomes in Sunday's win, with three touchdowns, per NBC News.
• 8 consecutive regular-season overtime wins for Kansas City, tying an NFL record set by San Francisco from 2003 to 2010.
• 25 career game-winning drives for Mahomes in the fourth quarter or overtime, according to the report.
• 1-9 Kansas City's record in one-score games last season, compared with a 17-game win streak in such games that ended in the 2025 season opener.

What to watch

• Whether Mahomes' knee holds up as the Chiefs face tougher opponents beyond the first two weeks.
• How Kenneth Walker III and Jalen Royals factor into the offense as the season progresses, after both were part of Sunday's scoring.
• Whether Kansas City's running game improves on last season's bottom-third ranking in yards per carry.
• Whether the Chiefs can keep pace with Las Vegas, Cincinnati and Buffalo among the AFC's undefeated teams.
• Whether Travis Kelce's production rebounds from what NBC News called one of his worst statistical seasons.

For the full account of Sunday's game, including further comments from Mahomes and Kelce, see the original NBC News report.

Artiglio is A coming-soon iPhone chief of staff for briefings and drafts. Not on the App Store yet.

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