Kansas City Chiefs record another improbable stat as they continue to find new ways to win
The Kansas City Chiefs are having an improbable 2024 season. 10 of their 12 win have come by just one possession. They have found multiple unique ways to close out games, the latest of which came on Sunday night against the Los Angles Chargers with kicker Matthew Wright hitting the game-winning field goal as time […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are having an improbable 2024 season.
10 of their 12 win have come by just one possession. They have found multiple unique ways to close out games, the latest of which came on Sunday night against the Los Angles Chargers with kicker Matthew Wright hitting the game-winning field goal as time expired, despite the ball initially hitting the upright.
That is not the only time the Chiefs have won by a walk-off field goal this year, and Wright isn't the only kicker to accomplish it for Kansas City this season. According to OptaSTATS, the Chiefs are the first team in NFL history to have had three different kickers make a game-winning field goals as time expired in one season (Harrison Butker, Spencer Shrader and Wright).
That accomplishment is a big tribute to the Chiefs' coaching staff, particularly special teams coordinator Dave Toub. Butker making game-winning field goals is pretty much a given each year as he is one of the best in the business, but for two other kickers to come off the street and do it is pretty incredible.
Only the Chiefs know what secrets they have that gets their kickers so properly prepared, but one thing that's clear is how they show tremendous confidence in each one to come through and get the job done. Showing a player confidence and positive reinforcement has been a staple of Andy Reid's coaching staff, and it almost always pays off.
Before getting injured, Butker was 18-20 on field goal attempts with a long of 53-yards. In one game with the Chiefs, Shrader hit all three of his field goal attempts, including the game-winner. As for Wright, he is 8-9 on field goal attempts and 2-2 on extra points in two games with K.C., accounting for 26 of it's 38 total points during that span.
If Butker stays on schedule with his recovery, he should be back for the Chiefs' Week 16 game against the Houston Texans. Regardless of when he returns, K.C. clearly has a high amount of confidence in Wright, so there's no need to rush Butker back before he's completely healed. The Chiefs travel to Cleveland to take on the 3-10 Browns in Week 15.