The sequence of events that changed the complexion of Sunday's win over the St. Louis Rams included a defensive stand and a couple of key special teams plays.
Late in the first half with the game tied at 7-7, Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles fumbled the ball deep in Chiefs territory.
With just 7:46 left in the first half, the Rams had the ball at the 8-yard line and were looking to take the lead after the Chiefs gave them a great opportunity.
The Chiefs stuffed the run on first down, didn't allow Rams quarterback Austin Davis the opportunity to scramble on second down and then on third-and-6, safety Ron Parker sacked Davis for a loss of 14 yards.
Photos from the Chiefs week eight win against the St Louis Rams
What was going to be a 24-yard chip shot for the lead suddenly became a 38-yard attempt that was ultimately missed wide right by Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein.
The defense stood tall during the biggest moment in the game, and the Chiefs ensuing offensive drive helped capture the momentum back on the Chiefs side, where it hadn't been for much of the first half.
"I thought that was important," Reid said of the end of the first half. "That was a tough change around for the Rams. Fortunate for us, Cairo stuck that thing. Cairo was impressive yesterday with the length of his kickoffs and then that one right there."
After the miss, there was just 5:32 left in the first half.
Offensively, it was a 10-play, 37-yard drive by the Chiefs to close out the first half.
This drive took 5:31 off the clock and set up a Cairo Santos 53-yard field goal attempt, which he drilled right down the center.
The drive was highlighted by a third-and-6 pass from quarterback Alex Smith to receiver Dwayne Bowe for 14 yards, a play where defensive holding was called and declined because of the fantastic throw and catch.
The field goal was Santos' eighth consecutive field goal and gave the Chiefs some momentum going into halftime.
A Chiefs defensive stand from the 8-yard line, then a Rams missed field goal followed by a Santos' long-range bomb was the majority of this game-changing sequence, but the final touch was how the Chiefs began the second half.
Knile Davis took the opening kickoff of the second half 99 yards for a touchdown, giving the Chiefs the 17-7 lead. This was a 17-point swing in a short amount of time and helped lead the Chiefs to a 34-7 victory.
