The Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious in another nail-biter on “Sunday Night Football,” claiming a 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers to clinch their ninth straight AFC West title and keep their sights on the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.
Placekicker kicker Matthew Wright stole the spotlight with a game-winning field goal that hit the upright before bouncing through. The pressure-packed moment was just another opportunity to rely on his meticulous preparation and mental discipline.
“I just try to do the same routine I do every time,” Wright told reporters after the game. “Say the same phrases in my head — and just try to focus on being as routine-based as possible.”
The 31-yard attempt — hardly different than an extra-point kick — drifted to the left as it approached the goalposts. Among the millions watching, Wright wasn’t the only one who thought it might not go through.
“It’s not good,” Wright recalled of his reaction to the ball’s trajectory. “I wanted it to go right down the middle, obviously — but I’m just happy it went in.”
After the ball’s dramatic “doink” off the left upright, the crowd surrounding GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium erupted — although you couldn’t prove that from Wright’s account.
“I’m sure I’ll look back and see it,” he said, “but I don’t remember that at all.”
Wright does, however, remember that preparation for these game-deciding moments is the key to a placekicker’s success. That’s why he sticks to a consistent routine.
“[I] just stay in the net as long as possible,” he explained, “try to do a kick on third down, and then get ready to run out on the field. I knew we were going to call a timeout, so I was just in the net until the timeout — and then ran out.”
Wright denied that the team had been careful to run its final kneel-down so the attempt would be made from his preferred hash mark.
“Honestly, we didn’t talk about that,” he revealed. “If it’s that short, I should make it no matter where it is.”
The placekicker’s journey to Sunday’s high-stakes moment has hardly been conventional. Over his five-season career, he’s worn nine different NFL uniforms and had more than one stint with three different teams — including the Chiefs. It has sometimes been a dizzying experience.
“Yeah, a little bit,” admitted Wright. “But my wife’s super helpful in just giving me confidence going forward. I’ll just try my best to keep making my kicks — and just stick around.”
Despite the challenges of his career, Wright feels immense pride in contributing to Kansas City’s success — and enjoys the moments when preparation meets opportunity.