For four quarters and a bit of extra time, Sunday night at Arrowhead felt less like a football game and more like a tug-of-war.
The Indianapolis Colts came out swinging, landed the first punch, and forced the Kansas City Chiefs to play from behind. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs answered, but every time Kansas City looked ready to seize control, Indianapolis responded. The lead changed hands, momentum swung back and forth and neither side could create the kind of separation that usually settles a game before the fourth quarter.
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Travis Kelce made his presence felt in a big way. It was a throwback performance for the future Hall of Famer.
Mahomes repeatedly found his longtime target when Kansas City needed a spark, including a touchdown that briefly put the Chiefs ahead. But the Colts refused to go away, and Jonathan Taylor helped Indianapolis erase another deficit and push the game into a tense finish.
Andy Reid’s Chiefs had chances to close it out. So did the Colts.
Instead, after seven lead changes, the game marched into overtime. And when the pressure was highest, Mahomes, Reid, and the Chiefs had one final opportunity to decide whether Sunday night would end in celebration.
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So, did the Chiefs survive the chaos at Arrowhead? Or did the Colts stun the Kansas City faithful?
Who won ‘Sunday Night Football’ game last night?
The Kansas City Chiefs won the Week 2 “Sunday Night Football” game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Kansas City outlasted Indianapolis in overtime, 33-30, on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 2.
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Week 2 of the NFL season delivered thrilling finishes, breakout performances and game-changing plays. See the best highlights from Sunday’s action.
Above, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 20, 2026.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Week 2 of the NFL season delivered thrilling finishes, breakout performances and game-changing plays. See the best highlights from Sunday’s action.
Above, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 20, 2026.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown with Lamar Jackson #8 against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Ja’marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the game at NRG Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Garrett Wilson #5 of the New York Jets celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 20, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 20, 2026.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 20, 2026.
(Bob DeChiara, Imagn Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of the game at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Ja’marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touch down against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of the game at NRG Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Michael Hoecht #55 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after sacking Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 17, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Travis Etienne #3 of the New Orleans Saints scores a two point conversion against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of a game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts #1 react during the national anthem prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Treveyon Henderson #32 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers with teammate Mack Hollins #13 during the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Treveyon Henderson #32 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
(Winslow Townson, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of the game at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Justin Ford, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Roquan Smith #0 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints short of the end zone in the fourth quarter of a game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Darren Waller #88 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Butch Dill, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Byron Murphy Jr. #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a play with Isaiah Rodgers #2 against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter of the game at Soldier Field on September 20, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Geoff Stellfox, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Julian Blackmon #23 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates with teammates after an interception against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of a game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers scores a touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with Bryce Young #9 after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Tyler Shough #6 and head coach Kellen Moore of the New Orleans Saints hug late in the fourth quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Aaron Jones Sr. #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter of the game at Soldier Field on September 20, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Patrick McDermott, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Dawson Knox #88 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett, Getty Images)
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NFL Week 2 reactions after wins, big moments and breakout performances
James Cook III #4 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Timothy T Ludwig, Getty Images)
Chiefs vs Colts takeaways
Analysis from USA TODAY Sports’ Jack McKessy:
Patrick Mahomes is back. The Chiefs’ star quarterback looked shaky in his first game back from a knee injury that ended his 2025 season early. He finished his 2026 debut with 184 passing yards and a completion rate of just 55.6%. Week 2’s performance against the Colts looked much more like vintage Mahomes: 382 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and a 68% completion rate. His most significant throw of the night was a deep heave to receiver Tyquan Thornton for a 45-yard gain. It was his deepest completion of the season so far, yes, but it was also perfectly placed ahead of a couple of Colts defenders, making Thornton the only person who could have made a play on the ball. He also made a similar throw to Thornton for 30 yards in overtime.
The Colts made the Chiefs defense look vulnerable. Last week’s “Monday Night Football” game stood out because the Denver Broncos offense looked so limited against Kansas City. Their 176 yards of total offense was the fewest of any team in a Week 1 that was otherwise the highest-scoring opening week in NFL history. But the Colts were prepared for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheming. Running back Jonathan Taylor continued to play like the star he is, gashing Kansas City for 92 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. When Indianapolis needed quarterback Daniel Jones to win with his arm on key passing downs, he often did. The Chiefs did not sack Jones once (though they did come away with a key pressure on the final third down of regulation). For the most part, it was exactly the kind of performance Indy’s offense needed after a disappointing Week 1 loss – and exactly the kind of defensive performance from Kansas City that will give analysts pause before declaring them AFC West champs or AFC title contenders.
Kenneth Walker is great… but the Chiefs might also have something in Emmett Johnson. Even with Mahomes’ flashy return to prominence, Walker was once again a big star in the Chiefs’ offense. He finished with 117 rushing yards on 24 carries – an average of 4.9 yards per carry. But Johnson, the Chiefs’ rookie fifth-round pick, looked stellar on his limited number of touches (four). The young running back was both a physical runner – slamming through defenders when he needed to – and an evasive runner – showing off finesse with a couple of really nice juke moves to avoid would-be tacklers. Walker will still be the focal point of the Chiefs’ rushing attack until proven otherwise, but Johnson is looking like a great late-round pickup through two games so far.
Who plays tonight on Monday Night Football?
The Los Angeles Rams (0-1), led by reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, host Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants (1-0) to wrap up Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season. The game will be played at SoFi Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
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Sunday Night Football schedule 2026
Week 3: Rams at Broncos, Sept. 27, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 4: Lions at Panthers, Oct. 4, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 6: Cowboys at Packers, Oct. 18, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 7: Chiefs at Seahawks, Oct. 25, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 8: Eagles at Commanders, Nov. 1, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 9: Buccaneers at Bears, Nov. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 11: Vikings vs. 49ers (Mexico City), Nov. 22, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 13: Texans at Steelers, Dec. 6, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 14: Bills at Packers, Dec. 13, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 15: Lions at Vikings, Dec. 20, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 16: Jaguars at Cowboys, Dec. 27, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 17: Eagles at 49ers, Jan. 3, 2027, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Week 18: TBD, Jan. 10, 2027, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Chiefs beat Colts? ‘Sunday Night Football’ OT winner, final score last night
