It was a night to remember at Arrowhead Stadium as the Kansas City Chiefs secured a nail-biting 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on “Sunday Night Football.” But it wasn’t just any win-it was the doink heard ’round the NFL. Matthew Wright, the Chiefs’ third-string kicker, became an overnight sensation with his game-winning 31-yard field goal that barely squeezed in after ricocheting off the left upright.
The improbable kick came in the final moments of a game where the Chiefs seemed to flirt with disaster. Wright’s attempt initially appeared to veer left before defying the odds and bouncing through, clinching Kansas City’s ninth consecutive AFC West title. A gust of wind, a stroke of luck, or perhaps a mix of both made the difference. Either way, the Chiefs found a way to win, as they so often do.
Travis Kelce stunts in an all electric classic car for a good cause as he arrives to the Chiefs vs. Chargers game
With the victory, Kansas City improved to 12-1 on the season, cementing their position as the AFC’s No. 1 seed after the Buffalo Bills’ loss earlier in the day. Even more impressive, the Chiefs have now won 15 straight one-score games dating back to December 2022-a testament to their ability to thrive under pressure.
Fans and analysts alike reacted with a mix of disbelief and awe. Social media lit up with memes and comments about the “doink” that delivered a division title. “Only the Chiefs could make a field goal like that feel like destiny,” tweeted one fan. Others marveled at how Kansas City, even without their top kicker, continued to find ways to win.
Wright’s ‘lucky doink’ headlines a season of clutch moments
The game itself was a microcosm of the Chiefs’ season: moments of brilliance mixed with near misses. Patrick Mahomes threw for 263 yards and a touchdown but was uncharacteristically held in check for much of the night. The Chargers’ defense capitalized on Kansas City’s red-zone inefficiencies, keeping the game close until the very end. But as has been the case in their current quest for a three-peat, the Chiefs made the plays when it mattered most.
Wright, who was called up just weeks ago due to injuries in the Chiefs’ kicking unit, became an unlikely hero. After the game, he said he didn’t even realize the ball had bounced off the upright until teammates started celebrating. “I thought I had missed it at first,”Wright admitted. “It’s a kick I’ll never forget.”
As the Chiefs continue their march toward another Super Bowl run, the “lucky doink” will undoubtedly go down in franchise lore. And for a team that always seems to find ways to win, it’s just another chapter in their incredible story.
