KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ The moment that most intimately captures this particular team at this particular moment is Harrison Butker sprinting away from his Chiefs teammates after hitting the game-winning field goal.
The best celebrations are spontaneous, and that's particularly true for flashes like this, the mob of red Chiefs jerseys spilling from the sideline first toward the spot from which Butker kicked and then turning toward the spot 30 or so yards away to which he ran.
This is that euphoric moment that everyone thinks about but nobody plans for, football's equivalent of a baseball dugout spilling out and chasing the guy with the walk-off into center field. Butker learned the move in soccer, so when his teeny-tiny-partially blocked 44-yard field goal gave the Chiefs a 26-23 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday, he followed his instincts and ran.
Damned if the first person he saw wasn't the last one he wanted: Patrick Mahomes, the MVP quarterback wearing a knee brace.
"I wanted to embrace him," Butker said. "But then I'm like, 'No, he can't get hurt.'"
TV cameras caught the moment. Mahomes, dressed in a sweatsuit, ran up to Butker and the two exchanged the briefest and most distant of hugs. Honestly, it looked a little like two teenagers who wanted something more but knew the chaperones were near. They let go of each other, Butker turning back toward his healthy teammates, Mahomes walking away alone.
Mahomes' health is even more important than a game-winning kick, which is a heck of a thing to say because that kick just shifted the Chiefs' season.
You could feel it in the post-game locker room after, too, a buzz that rarely exists after a regular-season win. Teammates talked about the swag of their kicker, and made plans for later, noting that babysitters had been secured.
Certain moments are instant celebrations, and this one qualified. The Chiefs beat a probable playoff team with Matt Moore at quarterback. They did it because of Tyreek Hill's freakish speed and skills, an offensive line that won against a tough front, and of course two big kicks from Butker.
But they also did it because of their defense.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins stunk _ at one point, he slid on third down well short of the sticks _ but the Chiefs made life difficult for him. They mixed coverages, stuck with receivers and, through a combination of interior linemen like Derrick Nnadi winning individual matchups and secondary defenders following assignments, kept one of NFL's best offenses from taking traction.
Minnesota's Dalvin Cook was the NFL's only back averaging more than 100 yards rushing, and a run defense that's been cursed in Kansas City for years held him to 71 on 21 carries. Justifiably crushed a week ago, the Chiefs' linebackers had a lot to do with that.
They also did it at the most important times. How often has the diagnosis of the defense been that they showed encouraging signs but gave up too many big plays (last week against the Packers) or could not make stops at crucial moments (previous two losses, against the Texans and Colts)?
It's hard to remember the last time the Chiefs won because of their defense. They dominated the Broncos 30-6 a few Thursdays ago, but that Denver team was cooked, ready to roll over.
For the Chiefs beating a good team because of defense, you probably have to go all the way back to 2016, three years ago next month, when Eric Berry beat the Atlanta Falcons with a pick-two.
That game was a lifetime ago, played in a stadium that no longer exists, with just two defensive starters (Chris Jones and Daniel Sorensen) still on the Chiefs' roster.
"We've had our share of close games," safety Tyrann Mathieu said. "Like, 'Wow, you know, damn, we was close, damn we didn't make the play, damn, we couldn't get off the field.' Today was just a great effort from really everybody."
As with any regular-season game in the NFL, this game matters only as much as what it means going forward _ which is why this is the Chiefs' finest moment since at least the Ravens win, and maybe all season.
The progress from the defense is becoming more obvious every week now. They have a ways to go before being described as a strength, but by both advanced metrics (like Football Outsiders' DVOA) and traditional statistics, they have generally been league average with a trend line that continues to go up.
Chris Jones was a force in his return from a groin injury, continually clogging and beating blockers up front. He sort of called his shot at the most important moment, too, stalking the line of scrimmage and serving as Arrowhead hype man during a timeout before a near-sack on third down forced the Vikings to punt on their last possession.
The secondary has been strong, too, with terrific play from the safeties supporting the cornerbacks enough that, collectively, they're causing coverage sacks now. Corner Charvarius Ward, in particular, is showing improving ball skills and a promising future. Kendall Fuller's return from thumb surgery will only bolster the group.
But like everything else with the Chiefs, this is about Mahomes. The plan for a few weeks now has been for him to return to play the Chiefs' next game, at the Titans.
That would mean missing just two games after dislocating his kneecap, a remarkably fast recovery from an injury that typically means a four- to six-week recovery. Also, it would also mean 24 days of rest for his sprained left ankle.
The New England Patriots are the Chiefs' only remaining opponent with a winning record. The Chiefs play the Chargers twice, the Raiders and Broncos at home, and also get the sinking Bears.
If the Chiefs _ again, with Mahomes healthy _ can finish 6-1, they would likely secure the AFC's No. 2 seed and first-round bye for the playoffs. If they finish 5-2, they have a chance.
They own the tiebreaker against the Ravens and do not against the Colts (5-3) and Texans (6-3). This is worth remembering: If the Ravens beat the Texans at home in two weeks and each finishes with the same record, the Chiefs would likely earn the three-way tiebreaker by virtue of their division record.
The NFL moves fast. A week ago, the Chiefs had won just once in four home games and had an injured star quarterback. They have now beaten a playoff team with a third-stringer and expect to welcome back the MVP ahead of a finishing schedule that offers a runway for a first-round bye.
So much has gone wrong for the Chiefs this season, particularly in terms of injuries. But Butker's kick and a win over a good team _ plus Mahomes' expected return _ means they can still make the important stuff go right.
