The Kansas City Chiefs escaped with an electric, thrilling victory over the Denver Broncos, 16-14, on Sunday afternoon to remain perfect on the season.
Leading by two points with just one second remaining on the clock, the Chiefs were in position to drop their first game of the season as Broncos' kicker Will Lutz trotted out for a 35-yard field goal that would have won the game for Denver.
Linebacker Leo Chenal blocked the kick, however, and in a wild swing of emotions on a beautiful day at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City emerged victorious.
"It ended up being one of those kinds of games [that went] back-and-forth," said Head Coach Andy Reid. "Leo stepped up and did what Leo does. Every week, somewhere, he makes a play. Defensively [or on] special teams – somewhere – he steps up and makes a play, and he did a great job with that [today].
The block was a fitting conclusion to what turned out to be a strong day for Kansas City's defense, which held the Broncos scoreless following a pair of consecutive touchdown drives during the second quarter. The two scores put the Broncos ahead by a score of 14-3, but as the game went on, Denver was shutout over its final five possessions.
That defensive performance provided the Chiefs with an opportunity to rally off 13 unanswered points, the last three of which were courtesy of a 20-yard, go-ahead field goal by kicker Harrison Butker with just under six minutes remaining in the game. It was one of three field goals on the day for Butker, who scored the only points for either team in the second half.
Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 28-of-42 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown in the contest, finding tight end Travis Kelce for a 2-yard score on fourth down late in the first half. It marked Kansas City's only touchdown of the day, but it was enough thanks to the efforts of Butker and the Chiefs' defense, which held the opposition under 28 total points for the 30th straight game.
The situation looked bleak when the Broncos took the field with one second remaining intent on knocking through a game-winning field goal, but just as the Chiefs have managed to do in so many games over the years, Kansas City found a way in the end to win it.
"I'm proud of our guys for battling," Reid added. They've got big hearts, and you got a chance to see that today."
The victory preserved Kansas City's perfect record while also locking up a 12th consecutive winning season, all of which have taken place under Coach Reid.
In terms of injuries, Reid didn't have any to mention following the game.
Kansas City will now turn the page to a high-profile matchup against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.
Photos from the Kansas City Chiefs Week 10 matchup against the Denver Broncos.