The Kansas City Chiefs pulled out a last-second win in overtime on Sunday Night Football, kicking the game-winning field goal to move to 2-0. The win felt improbable, as just moments earlier, the Indianapolis Colts had the ball in the red zone and could have walked off the field as winners with a touchdown. They had just pulled off a miraculous pass that was nearly ruled a fumble, so all of the momentum was with Indy in that moment.
The Chiefs' defense held strong, though, forcing a 4th-and-8 situation. Now, the context here is that K.C. had already gone down the field and scored a field goal on its opening possession in overtime. The Colts could either go for it and keep the drive going but also risk losing, or they could kick a field goal and tie things back up. If they chose to kick the field goal, the Chiefs would get the ball back with a chance to win the game.
Shane Steichen chose caution against the Chiefs
Considering that Colts head coach Shane Steichen is on the hot seat in Indianapolis, being aggressive and going for the win feels like it would have made sense here. If Indy went for it and didn't get it, at least they tried to win the game. Instead, Steichen coached scared and took the field goal. When you play not to lose, more often than not, you end up losing anyway.
As we all saw, Steichen's decision was the wrong one. The Chiefs' offense marched down the field with ease and kicked the game-winning field goal, moving them to 2-0 and the Colts to 0-2. Steichen's decision gave Patrick Mahomes, who had been wheeling and dealing and looking like his old self all night, another chance to go down the field and win the game. That's the guy you want to give another shot to win the game? Huh?
Andy Reid would have handled things differently
Had the roles been reversed and the Chiefs been in the Colts' situation with the ball second in overtime, we all know that Andy Reid wouldn't have hesitated to be aggressive and go for the win on fourth down. Then again, Reid isn't on the hot seat and has three Super Bowl wins under his belt. He knows what to do in those situations and isn't someone we can accuse of coaching scared.
Hey, Chiefs fans aren't complaining, though. Steichen's passiveness allowed the Chiefs to win the game and move to 2-0. Thanks, coach!
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