Nathaniel FordSep 21, 2026 4 min read

Chiefs Survive Colts' Comeback Bid in 33-30 OT Win

Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker (7) kicks a field goal to beat the Indianapolis Colts during overtime of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker (7) kicks a field goal to beat the Indianapolis Colts during overtime in Kansas City. | AP Photo / Reed Hoffmann
Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs 33, Indianapolis Colts 30 (Overtime)

The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 2-0 on the season Sunday night, needing overtime to escape with a 33-30 win over the previously undefeated Indianapolis Colts, who fall to 0-2. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns, while kicker Harrison Butker delivered the decisive blow, hitting a 40-yard field goal as the overtime period expired.

How the Game Unfolded

Indianapolis struck first, putting together an 11-play, 65-yard opening drive that ended with quarterback Daniel Jones — the Colts' starting quarterback — finding rookie tight end Tyler Warren for a 1-yard touchdown pass. Kansas City answered right back, first with a 46-yard field goal from Butker, then taking the lead on a 13-yard touchdown throw from Mahomes to veteran tight end Travis Kelce.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9). | Kevin Sabitus via AP

From there, the two teams traded scores throughout the second quarter. Indianapolis kicker Spencer Shrader hit field goals from 42 and 49 yards to keep the Colts within range, and Mahomes found receiver Xavier Worthy for a 1-yard score to extend Kansas City's lead. But Indianapolis had the last word before halftime: running back Jonathan Taylor broke off a 24-yard touchdown run with just 59 seconds left in the second quarter, sending the Colts into the locker room ahead, 20-17.

The Chiefs Take Control

Kansas City came out of halftime and methodically drove down the field, using 14 plays and nearly seven minutes of clock to get into scoring position. Running back Kenneth Walker III was stopped three times near the goal line on that drive, but rather than settle for a field goal on fourth down, Kansas City stayed aggressive — and it paid off, with Mahomes finding receiver Jalen Royals for the go-ahead touchdown. Butker added a 28-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to push the Chiefs' lead further.

Indianapolis Fights Back

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17). | Kevin Sabitus via AP

The Colts refused to go away. Late in the fourth quarter, Jones connected with receiver Laquon Treadwell for a 48-yard gain that appeared to be a fumble — but after a lengthy replay review, officials ruled Treadwell was down by contact before the ball came loose, preserving the Colts' possession and keeping their comeback hopes alive. Indianapolis eventually forced overtime, and after Kansas City took an early lead in the extra period with a field goal, the Colts answered right back, tying the game at 30 on a 38-yard field goal from Shrader with just over three minutes left in overtime.

The Winning Drive

That set up the final sequence. Mahomes drove Kansas City 46 yards in seven plays, including a 22-yard connection with Walker that moved the ball to the Indianapolis 24-yard line. From there, Butker came on and calmly drilled the 40-yard field goal as time expired in overtime, sealing the 33-30 win for Kansas City.

By the Numbers

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes plays against the Indianapolis Colts in Kansas City. | AP Photo / Reed Hoffmann

Mahomes finished with 382 passing yards and three touchdowns, continuing to look like his pre-injury self after tearing his ACL last season. He is now a perfect 8-0 in his regular-season career when games go to overtime. On the other side, Jonathan Taylor was Indianapolis' offensive engine, rushing for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries in the loss.

What It Means

Kansas City moves to 2-0 and heads into next week with momentum after back-to-back primetime wins. Indianapolis falls to 0-2 and has now lost nine straight games dating back to last season, a stretch that includes the loss of Jones to a torn Achilles earlier in that skid. Despite the slow start, an 0-2 record isn't considered a crisis given the relative weakness of Indianapolis' division, but the Colts will need to turn things around soon if they hope to remain competitive as the season progresses.


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