In a season defined by frustration and narrow defeats, the Kansas City Chiefs finally found themselves on the right side of the razor’s edge. On Sunday, Nov. 23, with their playoff lives flashing before their eyes, the defending champions rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure a heart-stopping 23-20 overtime victory against the Indianapolis Colts.

The win improves Kansas City’s record to 6-5, snapping a painful losing streak and keeping their postseason pulse beating—albeit faintly—in a crowded AFC West. But as the adrenaline faded at Arrowhead Stadium, the reality of the situation set in: this wasn’t just a win; it was a survival test that pushed the team to its physical limit just days before a national spotlight game on Thanksgiving.

“Playoff Pat” returns to Arrowhead

For the first three quarters, it looked like the same old story for the 2025 Chiefs. The offense sputtered, penalties killed momentum, and a rare interception from Patrick Mahomes seemed to signal another collapse. But with the team trailing 20-9 and the Arrowhead crowd holding its collective breath, the switch flipped.

Mahomes, who finished the day with a season-high 352 passing yards on 29-of-46 completions, orchestrated a comeback that felt reminiscent of the dynasty’s golden years. While he didn’t throw a touchdown pass, his ability to extend plays and find receivers in critical moments was the difference-maker.

“This is exactly what we needed,” Mahomes said in his postgame presser, his voice filled with relief. “When the game’s not going your way, you could have folded in that situation and kind of [lost] the rest of the season. But guys responded and found a way to win.”

He credited the “Arrowhead Advantage” for keeping the team in the fight, noting that even after a costly fumble by running back Kareem Hunt, the fans refused to turn on them. “They didn’t hang their heads… they said, ‘We’re going to be there with y’all through the end.’ I thought that was really cool.”

The Warrior and the Veteran

The victory required a heavy toll from the team’s veterans. Tight end Travis Kelce, continuing to defy Father Time at age 36, played a staggering 87.5% of the offensive snaps—his highest usage rate since 2018. Kelce finished with four crucial receptions and saw a touchdown wiped off the board due to a controversial facemask penalty on lineman Jawaan Taylor, a call that drew boos from the Chiefs Kingdom faithful.

But the grit award belonged to Kareem Hunt. The veteran running back became the engine of the offense, carrying the ball 30 times in a punishing performance that Mahomes described as “warrior-like.”

“He’s a warrior,” Mahomes said of Hunt. “I’m sure he wasn’t feeling great running some of those runs back-to-back-to-back, but he was going to do whatever it took to win. You need those guys on your team.”

Thanksgiving Homecoming in Dallas

There is no time to celebrate. The Chiefs now face a grueling short week as they travel to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. For Mahomes, this Thursday’s clash at AT&T Stadium is more than just a game; it’s a homecoming.

Growing up in Texas, the Cowboys were a staple of the Mahomes household. “The Cowboys are my dad’s favorite team, so I obviously watched a ton of Cowboys,” Mahomes admitted, recalling memories of watching Tony Romo. “It’s definitely going to be surreal being able to play them at the stadium I watched them play at a lot.”

When asked about the stakes of the game, including the quirky “Galloping Gobbler” award given to the MVP, Mahomes laughed, admitting he was more familiar with the legendary John Madden “Turducken” tradition. “To be able to be a part of that, I think that would be a special moment,” he said.

Stadium Drama Looms in Background

While the team fights for its life on the field, a massive storyline is developing off of it. The future of the franchise in Missouri remains the subject of intense political debate. Just days before the win, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe floated a new proposal to keep the Chiefs in the state: installing a retractable roof at a renovated Arrowhead Stadium.

The proposal comes as the team weighs a potential move across state lines to Kansas, where a new $3 billion domed stadium is being pitched. While no official decision has been made, the clock is ticking, with an announcement expected by early 2026. For now, the focus remains on the field, but the pressure to secure the franchise’s long-term home adds another layer of drama to an already turbulent season.

The Road Ahead

The Chiefs may have saved their season on Sunday, but they are far from safe. They currently trail both the Denver Broncos (9-2) and the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) in the division. With virtually no margin for error, every game becomes a “must-win.”

“Until you prove it, you can talk about it all day,” Mahomes said, summarizing the team’s mindset. “We had to prove that we can win a game like this.”

They proved it against the Colts. Now, with the eyes of the nation on them this Thanksgiving, they have to prove it again.