Leo Chenal felt it was worth a shot to pray. The Kansas City Chiefs, boasting an undefeated record and a franchise-best winning streak, were on the brink of losing as Wil Lutz prepared for a 35-yard field goal with just one second left at Arrowhead Stadium.

With all the nail-biting moments this season, doom felt inevitable. Or so it appeared.

Then came what Chenal described as “complete shock.”

This third-year linebacker joined a group of rushers who broke through Lutz’s left side on the kick attempt. Chenal leaped, extended his arm, and managed to block the kick just as time ran out. The ball hit below the palm of his right hand, sealing a 16-14 win over the Broncos and continuing the Chiefs’ remarkable season of unexpected victories.

“I was really praying for something to happen,” Chenal reflected. “That moment is so heavy. There’s a second on the clock. They’re going to kick the field goal. You feel the weight of the moment.”

After the thrilling finish, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid promised to reward Chenal with a cheeseburger for his efforts during the postgame celebration. Who knew that could be a recipe for success?

Reid and his capable staff have certainly implemented numerous tactics to continue winning amidst various challenges this season, as they pursue being the first team to secure a third consecutive Super Bowl championship. Chenal credited special teams coordinator Dave Toub for designing the successful rush that was perfected after countless practice sessions.

Still, considering the season’s twists, one might wonder if divine intervention played a role.

The season kicked off with a nail-biting victory, where what appeared to be a game-tying touchdown by Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely was overturned by replay. Likely’s toe grazed the line in the end zone.

“He should wear white cleats next time,” suggested Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “That’s my tip for him.”

In their second week, they narrowly defeated the Bengals thanks to Harrison Butker’s 51-yard field goal as time expired, set up by a pass interference call against rookie safety Daijahn Anthony on a crucial fourth-and-16.

In Week 3, the Chiefs secured two fourth-down stops within their own 13-yard line during the last six minutes against the Falcons and dodged a passing interference call against safety Bryan Cook. Ultimately, Nick Bolton clinched the game by stopping a fourth-and-1 run in the final minute.

“Great teams find ways to win,” said Chiefs safety Justin Reid following the Atlanta game. “It doesn’t always look pretty; it’s about securing victories.”

“Which translates to W’s.”

The Chiefs have triumphed in seven games this season by just a single possession. They faced some kind of adversity in each game, trailing at various points in eight of them. The wide receiver position suffered significant injuries, and running back Isiah Pacheco has been out since Week 2 due to a reported fractured fibula.

Despite Mahomes exceeding 300 passing yards only once this season, the Chiefs have extended their winning streak (including playoffs) to 15 games. This marks the longest streak in the NFL since the Packers won 19 in a row in 2010 and 2011.

Though they are the fifth reigning Super Bowl champions to start with a 9-0 record, they have the lowest point differential (+58) for any 9-0 squad in NFL history.

However, that doesn’t diminish their ability to stay calm under pressure. In other words, they manage to avoid self-sabotage.

“I thought we outplayed them,” commented Broncos coach Sean Payton after the game. “But to beat a champion, you have to go the extra mile.”

Last season, the Broncos managed to upset the Chiefs and began this game with a 14-3 lead in the first half. The Chiefs settled for field goals three times after making it to the red zone. The Broncos were on the 14-yard line, poised to take the lead with a kick, when the game flipped.

This scenario seemed like a solid plan to defeat the Chiefs.

<pSimilarly, just last week, the Bucs managed to tie the game with a last-minute drive but opted not to attempt a critical two-point conversion in the game’s final seconds, leading to second-guessing afterwards. The Chiefs won the overtime coin toss, leaving the Bucs without another possession as Mahomes orchestrated a 70-yard touchdown drive.

That was one form of game-ending victory; with Chenal’s block, the Chiefs found another approach.

“These moments are what you live for,” remarked Mahomes. “Growing up, you dream about walk-off wins, no matter how they happen. It’s a special experience.”

Mahomes expressed disappointment in missing crucial passes late in the game that could have connected with Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy for scores.

“If we had completed those throws,” he noted, “we wouldn’t even have needed Leo’s block.”

Or prayers, for that matter.

Regardless, the Chiefs seem accustomed to thrilling finishes. Who knows? They might even pull off a win with an unexpected play next time.

Things won’t get easier next Sunday in Buffalo, where they prevailed in last January’s AFC divisional playoffs. The Bills, currently 8-2, are among the league’s hottest teams and are eager for redemption. This upcoming match may pose the toughest challenge yet for the Chiefs to maintain their unbeaten streak.

How the game will unfold remains uncertain, as the Chiefs keep proving.

“It’s a week-to-week league,” Mahomes acknowledged.

And indeed, sometimes it gets very tense.