The Kansas City Chiefs were staring defeat right in the face. Some would even say they needed a miracle. Well, their prayers were answered in the final moment of their Week 10 game against the Denver Broncos.
They had one chance at saving their undefeated streak — to block a Broncos field goal attempt from their 17-yard line with one second remaining on the clock. Denver got into field goal range almost instantly after a special teams error set them up at the 40-yard line. They were able to drain the clock, setting up what should have been a chip-shot field goal.
Broncos K Wil Lutz lined up to take the kick, but he had his 35-yard field goal blocked by Chiefs LB Leo Chenal and recovered Joshua Williams at the Kansas City 28-yard line.
“It just speaks to this entire team,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes told CBS Sports’ Melanie Collins after the game. “I felt like offensively, we didn’t do well enough. I missed that throw in the fourth quarter to Trav (Travis Kelce) that could have kind of helped us get that lead. Defensively, they stepped it up in that second half and then special teams. We’re a full team. It’s everybody. It was a special moment.”
It was a special moment indeed, so much so that Andy Reid had to give the Broncos their flowers before heaping praise on Chenal for coming through in the clutch.
“My hat goes off to Denver for the job that they did,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters after the win. “I thought defensively, offensively, they were strong, and it ended up being one of those kind of back-and-forth games. And they arguably take it down for the game-winning kick. And then Leo (Chenal) steps up and does what Leo does every week. Somewhere he makes a play. Defensively, special teams, somewhere he steps up and makes a play, and he did a great job with that.”
Chenal has now earned a reputation for blocking kicks on special teams. He had a blocked extra point in Super Bowl LVIII, which turned out to be a major part of the team’s win. He says that with the talent across the special teams block unit, they always feel like they have a chance to stop opposing kicks. Still, the heaviness of game-changing play in the final moment of the game is enough to take your breath away.
“It’s complete shock,” Chenal told reporters. “There’s not much I can say about it. You know, glory to Jesus Christ and everything. Because I was really praying for something to happen. That moment is so heavy. You know, there’s one second on the clock and they’re going to kick the field goal. You feel the weight of the moment.”
Chenal is pound-for-pound one of the strongest players on the Chiefs. Mahomes says they call him “John Cena” because of it.
“He’s extremely strong, extremely strong,” Mahomes said. “I mean, he’s like, the strength of a D-lineman, but he plays linebacker position. We’ve used him on offense because he the way he’s able to use his speed and athleticism with that power.”
This won’t be the last time that the third-year linebacker makes a play for Kansas City either. He’s poised to continue to have big moments so long as he continues his signature intensity.
As much as the Chiefs will try to have a short memory as they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, they’ll also take some time to celebrate this moment. It’s the type of thing that will bring the entire team closer together as they work their way through the remainder of the 2024 NFL season.
“You live for these moments,” Mahomes said. “I mean, you grow up playing football, you live for the walk-off or whatever it is, and it’s special when you build with these guys for so long, you built this chemistry with them, and guys get to make that play. It’s something that I’m sure Leo (Chenal) will have for the rest of his life, but I’m just glad that we all get to experience it together.”
