It was supposed to be the end of the undefeated streak. November 10, 2024. Arrowhead Stadium was dead silent, or at least as quiet as that place ever gets when the game is on the line. The Denver Broncos had marched down the field, milking the clock with the kind of precision that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. Wil Lutz, a kicker who usually doesn't blink in these spots, was lining up for a 35-yard chip shot.
The snap was clean. The hold was perfect. Then, chaos.
If you’re wondering who blocked the field goal Chiefs fans are still screaming about months later, the answer is Leo Chenal. But just saying his name doesn't really do justice to what actually happened in those two seconds. It wasn’t just a lucky reach or a bad kick. It was a schematic masterpiece and a display of raw, unadulterated strength that basically saved the Chiefs' perfect season at the time.
The Man in the Middle: Why Leo Chenal Was the One
Leo Chenal is a linebacker. Usually, your "block guys" are the towering 6'6" defensive ends with wingspans like small airplanes. Chenal is different. He’s built like a beer keg filled with granite. Coming out of Wisconsin, scouts knew he was a "weight room warrior," but nobody expected him to become the most dangerous special teams weapon in the NFL.
He didn't just jump. He bull-rushed.
Chenal lined up in the "B-gap," that space between the guard and the center. He didn't try to go around the Broncos' blockers. He went through them. Honestly, watching the replay is kind of terrifying if you’re a Denver fan. He displaced two massive human beings, drove his feet into the turf, and got his large right hand directly into the flight path of the ball.
The sound was unmistakable. A heavy thud that signaled the ball wasn't going anywhere near the uprights.
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It wasn't just Chenal, though
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub is basically a wizard. People don't talk about special teams until something goes wrong, but in Kansas City, it's a primary phase of the game. Toub had seen something on film. He noticed a slight leaning in the Broncos' interior protection.
The Chiefs overloaded the middle. They didn't care about the edges. They knew if they could collapse the "A" and "B" gaps, Lutz wouldn't have the trajectory to clear the line on a short kick. Michael Danna and Mike Pennel were right there beside Chenal, creating the initial surge. But it was Chenal who found the extra gear to get the penetration needed.
The Physics of the Block
When a kicker is only 35 yards out, the ball has to come up at a steeper angle than it would on a 55-yarder. Everyone knows that. But the flip side is that the "danger zone" for a block is much closer to the line of scrimmage.
Lutz kicked it low.
Maybe he was worried about the wind, or maybe he just wanted to ensure he didn't pull it. Regardless, by the time the ball reached the line of scrimmage, it was still at chest height. Chenal had already moved his blocker back two yards into the backfield. That's the math that broke Denver's heart. You cannot kick a ball over a 250-pound man who is standing three feet in front of your foot. It's just not possible.
Why This Specific Play Changed the 2024 Season
Think about the stakes. The Chiefs were 8-0. A loss to a division rival at home would have been a massive blow to their momentum. More importantly, it would have given the rest of the AFC hope. Instead, the "Who Blocked the Field Goal Chiefs" question became a viral sensation because it cemented the idea that Kansas City is never actually out of a game.
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Patrick Mahomes was already on the sideline, basically resigned to the fact that his offense wouldn't get the ball back. He’s been on the winning side of a lot of miracles, but even he looked stunned.
The Aftermath in the Locker Room
After the game, Chenal was his usual humble self. He talked about "doing his job" and "trusting the process." Standard football speak. But his teammates were more vocal. Justin Reid called it one of the most athletic plays he’d ever seen from a linebacker. Travis Kelce was practically doing backflips.
It changed the narrative of the Chiefs' defense. For years, it was the "Mahomes Show." Now, it's the "Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Toub Show" featuring some guys named Mahomes and Kelce. This block was the ultimate proof that this roster is deep. It’s not just about the superstars; it’s about the guy who spends four hours a day in the weight room just so he can push a 300-pound guard backward for half a second.
Common Misconceptions About the Block
You’ll hear some people say Lutz "blew it." That’s a bit unfair. While the kick was low, it was on target. The real "failure" was on the Broncos' offensive line. Alex Forsyth, the rookie center/guard for Denver, took a lot of heat for that play. He got overwhelmed.
- Was it a penalty? Some Broncos fans argued there was leverage (jumping off a teammate's back). The refs looked. The league looked. There was nothing. Chenal stayed on his own two feet.
- Did the ball hit the ground first? No. It hit Chenal's palm and then ricocheted into the turf.
- Was it a fluke? Hardly. Chenal has a history of being a disruptor on special teams. If you watch his college tape, he was doing this stuff at Wisconsin too.
How to Analyze a Field Goal Block Like a Pro
If you want to understand who blocked the field goal Chiefs players were celebrating, you have to look at the "get-off." In the NFL, special teams snaps are timed to the millisecond.
Chenal moved the instant the ball flinched. He wasn't guessing; he was reacting to the snapper's nuances. Most fans watch the kicker's foot. If you want to see a block coming, watch the defensive line's hands. If the hands are up before the kicker makes contact, someone is getting through.
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What's Next for the Chiefs Special Teams?
This play wasn't an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader philosophy. The Chiefs invest heavily in "hybrids"—players who are too big to be safeties but too fast to be traditional linebackers. Leo Chenal is the poster child for this.
Going forward, teams are going to have to account for him on every single kick. That means they might have to pull a blocker from the edge to help in the middle, which ironically opens up the corners for someone like Justin Reid or Bryan Cook to come flying in.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
If you're looking to track these kinds of game-changing plays in the future, pay attention to the following details during live broadcasts:
Watch the Interior Linemen
Don't look at the kicker. Look at the three guys directly over the long snapper. If they get any vertical push within the first half-second, the kick is in danger. The Chiefs specifically target the gaps between the center and guards because it’s the shortest path to the ball.
Check the Kicker's Recent Trajectory
Some kickers, like Lutz or even Justin Tucker in recent years, have seen their "average launch angle" drop slightly. This usually happens when they are trying to maximize distance. If a kicker is struggling with height, they are "prime real estate" for a guy like Leo Chenal.
Follow the Special Teams Snap Counts
Players like Chenal, who play significant defensive snaps but still stay on special teams, are rare. Usually, stars get "rested" on fourth down. The Chiefs don't do that. They keep their best athletes on the field for the most dangerous plays.
The 2024 block wasn't just a highlight; it was a statement. It told the league that the Chiefs don't need a touchdown to beat you. They don't even need the ball. They just need Leo Chenal and a tiny bit of space in the B-gap.
To really dive into how this affects betting lines or future matchups, keep an eye on the "Special Teams DVOA" (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) rankings. Kansas City consistently sits near the top because of plays exactly like this one. They turn "sure thing" points into turnovers, and in a league where games are won by three points or less, that is the difference between a Super Bowl run and an early vacation.