Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Kansas City Chiefs

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, few teams embody late-game resilience like the Kansas City Chiefs. Time and again, they’ve turned deficit into victory in the final minutes, cementing their reputation as masters of the fourth-quarter comeback. Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes—whose calm under pressure and ability to orchestrate game-winning drives has become legendary—the Chiefs have built a culture where “last minute” isn’t a deadline, but an opportunity. From regular-season thrillers to playoff classics, their fourth-quarter heroics have not only secured wins but also shaped their identity as perennial Super Bowl contenders. Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Kansas City Chiefs dives into the secrets behind these comebacks, key moments that defined them, and why the Chiefs remain so dangerous when the clock is winding down.

Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the statistical foundation of their late-game dominance. Since Mahomes became the full-time starter in 2018, the Chiefs have recorded 28 fourth-quarter comebacks—the most in the NFL over that span. In 2024 alone, they’ve pulled off four such wins, including a Week 6 victory over the Denver Broncos (trailed by 10 points with 3:12 left) and a Week 12 thriller against the Buffalo Bills (erased a 7-point deficit in the final 90 seconds). What sets these comebacks apart is their consistency: Mahomes has completed 72% of his passes in fourth-quarter comeback scenarios since 2018, with 35 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 8 fourth-quarter touchdowns in clutch moments, using his mobility to extend plays when the pocket collapses. “Patrick has a unique ability to slow the game down when everyone else is speeding up,” said former Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. “He doesn’t panic—he processes, adjusts, and delivers. That’s why the Chiefs are so tough to beat in the fourth quarter.”

To understand the mechanics of Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s essential to look beyond Mahomes and examine the team’s coordinated approach. Offensively, the Chiefs rely on a “simplified playbook” in crunch time—focusing on high-percentage routes (like slants and outs) and quick passes that get the ball into playmakers’ hands immediately. Travis Kelce, who has 12 fourth-quarter touchdown catches in comeback games, is often the primary target: his ability to find soft spots in zone coverage and break tackles after the catch makes him a nightmare for defenses. Running back Isiah Pacheco also plays a key role, using his power to convert short-yardage downs and keep drives alive. Defensively, Steve Spagnuolo’s unit has a knack for forcing stops when it matters most—they’ve recorded 18 takeaways in fourth-quarter comeback scenarios since 2018, including 7 interceptions that set up game-winning drives. In the 2024 Week 12 Bills game, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed intercepted Josh Allen with 1:15 left, giving the Chiefs the ball at their own 40-yard line and setting up Mahomes’ game-winning pass to Kelce. “It’s a team effort,” Spagnuolo said. “Our defense knows we need to get the ball back, and our offense knows they need to capitalize. That synergy is what makes these comebacks possible.”

Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Kansas City Chiefs also highlights the mental edge that separates the Chiefs from other teams. Andy Reid’s leadership plays a critical role here—he’s one of the most experienced coaches in the NFL, with 24 years of head coaching experience, and he’s never afraid to take calculated risks in crunch time. In the 2024 Week 6 Broncos game, Reid called a fake punt on fourth-and-2 from the Chiefs’ own 30-yard line with 2:30 left, which resulted in a 15-yard gain and kept the comeback drive alive. He also emphasizes “mental reps” in practice, having the team simulate fourth-quarter deficit scenarios at least once a week. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this preparation builds confidence—players know exactly what to do when the game is on the line because they’ve practiced it hundreds of times. “Coach Reid doesn’t let us leave practice until we’ve nailed those crunch-time situations,” Kelce said. “When you’re in a real game and you’ve done the same thing in practice 100 times, it feels easy. That’s the difference between us and other teams.”

Another key layer of Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Kansas City Chiefs is the role of Arrowhead Stadium—often called the “loudest stadium in the NFL”—in fueling these late-game wins. When the Chiefs trail in the fourth quarter, the crowd’s energy reaches a fever pitch, making it difficult for opposing offenses to communicate. In 2024, the Chiefs are 3-0 in fourth-quarter comebacks at home, with opposing quarterbacks completing just 51% of their passes in the final quarter. The noise also helps the Chiefs’ defense, as it disrupts snap counts and leads to false starts (opponents have committed 12 false starts in fourth-quarter comeback scenarios at Arrowhead since 2024). For the Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead isn’t just a stadium—it’s a 12th man that gives them an extra edge when the game is on the line. “There’s nothing like playing at Arrowhead in the fourth quarter when we’re trailing,” Mahomes said. “The crowd gets so loud, you can’t hear anything—but you can feel the energy. It pushes you to play better, to make that extra play.”

The final dimension of Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Kansas City Chiefs is the impact these wins have on the team’s playoff psyche. Comebacks build resilience—they teach players to never give up, even when the odds are stacked against them. This mental toughness has been critical in the playoffs: since 2018, the Chiefs have won three playoff games via fourth-quarter comeback, including Super Bowl LIV (where they erased a 10-point deficit in the final 6:13) and the 2023 AFC Championship Game (trailed by 7 points with 2:05 left). These wins have also made the Chiefs a feared opponent—teams know that even if they lead late, the game isn’t over. For the Kansas City Chiefs, fourth-quarter comebacks aren’t just about winning games—they’re about building a legacy of toughness and resilience. “Every comeback we win makes us stronger,” Reid said. “It reminds us that we can overcome anything, as long as we stick together. That’s the mindset you need to win a Super Bowl.” As the 2024 season progresses, there’s no doubt the Chiefs will add more fourth-quarter comebacks to their resume—further solidifying their status as one of the NFL’s most clutch teams.