Chiefs Survive Overtime Replay Reversal Before Butker Ends Colts Thriller

Patrick Mahomes said the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense responded after a replay reversal changed what appeared to be a game-ending turnover in overtime. “Yeah, it’s part of it. They go both ways,” Mahomes said. “It’s just that’s playing in the NFL, and it was a close play. It went their way, and I thought it was cool to see the defense respond there.”

Kansas City had opened the extra period by taking a 30-27 lead, but Indianapolis answered immediately. On the Colts’ first play from scrimmage, quarterback Daniel Jones found wide receiver Laquon Treadwell deep for a 48-yard gain into Kansas City territory.

Treadwell was fighting through defenders for more yardage when the ball came loose. The on-field officials initially ruled it a fumble and gave possession to the Chiefs, which would have ended the contest under NFL overtime rules.

The mandatory replay review overturned that decision. Video showed Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed making contact with Treadwell’s hip while the receiver was on the ground before the ball came loose. Officials ruled Treadwell down by contact, nullifying the turnover and giving the Colts the ball deep in Kansas City territory.

Andy Reid said the borderline play was difficult to judge from the sideline, though the Chiefs coach accepted the replay booth’s decision. “It was hard for me to tell,” Reid said in his postgame press conference. “I mean, I saw all the replays. I mean, I would have voted against it going the other way, but I don’t have a vote. It’s America, and I don’t have a vote.”

The Colts faced a first down inside field goal range, but Kansas City stopped Indianapolis on three consecutive downs. The defensive stand denied the Colts a game-winning touchdown and forced an attempted field goal.

Mahomes said the defense avoided a letdown after the sudden reversal. “Like a lot of times, after that big of an emotional rush of you think you got to stop to win the game, and then you don’t, you don’t, it doesn’t happen,” Mahomes said. “You can kind of let down, and they can score a touchdown. But our defense made a big stop, and then backed them up where they had to kick a field goal, and then gave us the ball back again. And so that was cool to see that our defense was able to do that.”

The quarterback also mentioned the reaction the disputed call could have received publicly. “I was actually kind of glad because I didn’t want to see Twitter’s reaction if they would have called it a fumble,” Mahomes said. “So we got to prove it the right way, get the stop there, and then go back out there and get a field goal.”

Kansas City then took possession, and Mahomes directed a 46-yard drive to the Indianapolis 22-yard line. Harrison Butker drilled the ensuing 40-yard field goal to secure the thrilling victory over the Indianapolis Colts.