Lethal accuracy: Butker's epic performance lifts Chiefs to overtime victory over Chargers, 23-20

Prior to the first of what amounted to three game-winning kicks, CBS color analyst Tony Romo drew a parallel between Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and former New York Yankees star Mariano Rivera, the bar-none greatest closer in Major League Baseball history. Romo's implication was clear: No one player in the NFL possesses Butker's capabilities with the game on-the-line.

Having already drilled a franchise record-tying 58-yard field goal earlier in the contest, Romo had little doubt that Butker would be able to convert a mere 53-yard attempt in overtime against the Chargers on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Butker did just that, but the celebration was premature. The Chiefs were whistled for a false start, pushing them back five yards. This made the attempt the same distance as Butker's kick with 3:11 remaining in the first half that tied Nick Lowery's 37-year old franchise record.

Announcers Romo and Jim Nance pointed out that if Butker missed from the new spot, it would gift-wrap the Chargers with exceptional field position near midfield. They would then need to pick up only 15 yards in order to be in range for a game-winning field goal attempt.

Feeling supremely confident in Butker's abilities, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid elected to roll the dice on a second 58-yard attempt. Making Romo look good for his Rivera comparison, Butker narrowly snuck the attempt through, just inside the left upright. The celebration, however, was again premature, as Los Angeles head coach Anthony Lynn had signaled for a timeout a split-second before the kick.

This gave Reid even more time to think over his gamble, and he again came to the same conclusion. Butker's leg seemed to get stronger with each kick, as this attempt was even truer than the previous ones, splitting the uprights right down the middle, sailing through with ease. Chiefs players quickly swarmed Butker, lifting him on their shoulders in jubilation, as Kansas City prevailed, 23-20.

Getting to that point was no easy task for the reigning Super Bowl champs, who were outplayed for three and a half quarters. Looking sharp was Los Angeles rookie QB Justin Herbert. The University of Oregon product was making his NFL debut, replacing starting QB Tyrod Taylor, who was unable to go due to a chest injury.

From the opening drive Herbert seemed to have little trouble engineering the Chargers offense. The sixth overall selection in the April draft led an eight-play, 79 yard scoring drive late in the first quarter, capped off by his four-yard scamper to paydirt, for a 7-0 Chargers' lead.

Kansas City's lone first half scoring drive came near the midpoint of the second quarter, via a Patrick Mahomes 10-yard TD toss to tight end Travis Kelce in the right corner of the end zone. LA then parlayed a penalty into a block of Butker's point-after attempt, as KC trailed 7-6 late in the first half.

The Chargers quickly struck back, with Herbert's first career touchdown pass staking LA to a 14-6 halftime advantage. Los Angeles extended their lead midway through the third, as Michael Badgley's 41-yard FG upped their advantage to 11.

The Chiefs trimmed the deficit to 17-9, courtesy of Butker's first 58-yard make.

Having looked sluggish for most of the game, Mahomes finally linked up with big-play threat Tyreek Hill for a 54-yard TD strike. After making the grab, Hill hit the ground untouched around the 3-yard-line and somersaulted into the end zone. Throwing back across his body on the run, Mahomes found second-year receiver Mecole Hardman for the successful two-point play, knotting the contest 17-17 with 12:48 remaining in regulation.

The Chargers methodically marched downfield on the ensuing drive, chewing up 10-plus minutes of game-clock, before settling for a 23-yard Badgley FG. Beset by penalties on the ensuing drive, Kansas City still managed to get into range for Butker's 30-yard chip shot as time expired in regulation.

Los Angeles won the overtime coin toss, and was in position to seal the victory had they scored a touchdown on the opening possession. After a bend but don't break performance through four quarters, the KC defense stepped up. The Chargers elected to play the field position battle and punted on fourth-and-1 from their own 40.

Overcoming more penalties, Mahomes moved the Chiefs downfield 39 yards on 13 plays, setting the $5 billion SoFi Stadium stage for Butker's heroics.

Mahomes completed a pedestrian-like 27-of-47 pass attempts for 302 yards, to go along with two TD passes and no interceptions. Mahomes also led the Chiefs in rushing, with 54 yards on six attempts. Hill finished with a game-high 99 receiving yards, while Kelce hauled in nine catches for 90 yards. Herbert, meanwhile, diced up the Chiefs' depleted secondary to the tune of 27-of-33 for 311 yards.

Up Next

Kansas City (2-0) travels to Baltimore for next week's marquee matchup, as the Chiefs are set to tangle with the Ravens on Monday Night Football.

The Lamar Jackson-led Ravens have opened the season with blowout victories over the Browns and Texans.