The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos, 16-14, in walk-off fashion on Sunday afternoon to remain unbeaten on the season.
Here are some quick notes about the victory.
1. The Chiefs are just the third team in the last 10 seasons to win on a blocked field goal attempt.
Sunday's victory marked just the third blocked field goal attempt that took place on the final play of the game in the last 10 seasons. It also happened in Week 1 of the 2022 campaign and Week 10 of the 2019 season (which unfortunately happened against the Chiefs).
It was the Chiefs' first blocked field goal since Week 8 of last season, which – ironically – also took place against the Broncos and kicker Will Lutz. As for the man who blocked it, linebacker Leo Chenal, it was the second blocked kick of his career (he also blocked an extra-point in Super Bowl LVIII).
The Chiefs have now won in "walk-off" fashion in four of their five home games this season, beating the Ravens on a reviewed – and overturned – touchdown pass as time expired in Week 1, defeating the Bengals on a walk-off field goal in Week 2, topping the Buccaneers with a walk-off touchdown in Week 9 and now defeating the Broncos on a walk-off blocked field goal attempt on Sunday.
2. Kansas City locked up a winning season for the 12th consecutive year.
The Chiefs have posted a winning season in every year under Head Coach Andy Reid, marking the longest active stretch in the NFL and seven seasons ahead of second place. The Buffalo Bills (5, but on the verge of 6) own the next closest active streak.
Additionally, the streak is the fifth-longest in the Super Bowl Era, trailing only the 1966-85 Dallas Cowboys (20 straight), the 2001-19 New England Patriots (19 straight), the 1983-98 San Francisco 49ers (16 straight) and the 1966-80 Oakland Raiders (15 straight).
3. The Chiefs' defense has now held 30 straight opponents under 28 points.
Kansas City yielded just 14 points to Denver on Sunday, extending its streak of holding the opposition under 28 total points to 30 games (including the playoffs). The streak is the longest for any team since the 2000-01 Philadelphia Eagles posted a 34-game streak under the guidance of – remarkably – Head Coach Andy Reid.
The Chiefs have held opponents under 20 points in more than half of those 30 games, doing so 16 times.
4. Kansas City extended its franchise-record winning streak to 15 games.
The Chiefs have won 15 straight games dating back to last season (and including the playoffs). Kansas City has defeated the Bengals (twice), the Chargers (twice), the Dolphins, the Bills, the Ravens (twice), the 49ers (twice), the Falcons, the Saints, the Raiders, the Buccaneers and the Broncos during the streak.
It's the longest streak for any team since the 2010-11 Green Bay Packers won 19 consecutive games (before losing to Kansas City, as it turned out). The Chiefs are the ninth team in the Super Bowl Era to record a winning streak of at least 15 games.
5. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes moved to 19-14 in games the Chiefs trailed by 10+ points.
The Chiefs trailed Denver by a score of 14-3 late in the first half, but as history has demonstrated, the game was far from over. In fact, Patrick Mahomes is the only quarterback in NFL history to own a winning record in games that he trailed by 10+ points (min. 20 games).
Mahomes is 19-14 in such games, posting a .576 winning percentage. The next closest player, Tom Brady, was 42-69 in such games (which works out to a .378 winning percentage).
Kansas City is the only team in NFL history to begin 9-0 despite trailing in at least eight of those games. The Chiefs have trailed by 10+ points twice this season (11 points to Denver and 10 points to Los Angeles in Week 4), but overcame both deficits to win.
6. Tight end Travis Kelce hauled in his 76th career receiving touchdown.
Kelce made some franchise history on Sunday, matching Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez for the most receiving touchdowns in franchise history. It was also Kelce's 79th overall touchdown, which trails only running back Priest Holmes (83) for the most in team history.
The veteran tight end has 32 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns over the last three weeks, leading the NFL in receptions during that time. His 17 first-down catches in that span rank second in the league.
7. Tailback Kareem Hunt tallied 100+ yards from scrimmage for the second-straight week.
Hunt recorded exactly 100 yards from scrimmage (35 rushing, 65 receiving) on Sunday, marking his second-straight game (and third overall) with 100+ yards from scrimmage this season.
Hunt now has 565 scrimmage yards in his six games with the team.
8. Linebacker Nick Bolton and cornerback Nazeeh Johnson each recorded a sack.
Bolton and Johnson helped end two respective Bronco drives on Sunday. Johnson sacked Broncos' quarterback Bo Nix for a loss of 17 yards early in the game, putting Denver in a significant hole that eventually led to a punt. Bolton then contributed in a similar fashion a bit later, sacking Nix for a loss of 16 yards on third down at the end of the third quarter.
Overall, the Chiefs' defense – which yielded back-to-back touchdown drives during the second quarter – shutout the Broncos over their final five possessions. For the season, Kansas City has surrendered the second-fewest second half points (67) of any team in the NFL, trailing only Pittsburgh (55).
9. Kansas City is now 54-15 vs. the AFC West since 2013.
The Chiefs are 3-0 vs. divisional opponents in 2024, and since Head Coach Andy Reid took over back in 2013, Kansas City is an incredible 54-15 against AFC West foes. Unsurprisingly, that's the best mark for any head coach against his own division in the Super Bowl Era.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, moved to 33-5 vs. AFC West opponents following Sunday's victory.
10. The Chiefs are 9-0 for the third time in franchise history.
Kansas City has now matched the best start in franchise history, joining the 2003 and 2013 squads with a 9-0 run to begin the year. More than half of the Chiefs' victories in that time have taken place against opponents who currently have either an even or winning record, topping the Ravens (7-3), Chargers (6-3), Falcons (6-4), 49ers (5-4) and Broncos (5-5) during the run.
The Chiefs have never posted a 10-0 season to begin the year, and now with a marquee showdown with the Buffalo Bills on deck, they'll have an opportunity to do so while preserving their lead in the race for the AFC's top seed.
