Another week, another way the Kansas City Chiefs found to get a win. Somehow.

Although the process was slightly different, the result was pretty much the same. After quarterback Patrick Mahomes helped put the field ahead late in the fourth quarter, the reigning Super Bowl champions scored a game-winning field goal as time expired to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. In this case, it was Matthew Wright who managed to rip the opposition’s heart out.

Much like the game itself, Wright’s kick had a flair for the dramatic. The 31-yard shot hit the left upright and went in, giving Kansas City its ninth straight AFC West title. After one of the biggest successes of his career, the sixth grader expressed his desire for a stronger shot, but is very happy that everything worked out.

“It’s not good,” Wright said of his initial thoughts on the kick. “I obviously wanted it to go right in the middle, but I’m just glad it went in.”

Wright said his pre-kick routine didn’t change as the Chiefs advanced to their final offensive possession. Repeatedly telling himself to “relax” was one of the keys that calmed things down leading up to the field goal attempt.

“Just try to do the same routine that I do every time,” Wright said of his thought process. “Say the same sentences in my head and just try to focus on being as routine as possible.”

Wright, who is in his second stint with Kansas City after having a cup of coffee with the club in 2022, made history on Sunday. As time expired in the fourth quarter this season, he became the third Chiefs kicker to make a game-winning field goal – no other team has ever made more than one. With Harrison Butker on the injured reserve list and Spencer Shrader joining him after just two games, Wright was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. So good for him so far as he has scored eight of his nine boots and a pair of extra points in two weeks.

After moving to different teams (including the San Francisco 49ers this season), Wright is grateful that his teammates have been able to adapt on the fly.

“Yes, it’s a testament to James (Winchester) and Matt (Araiza), because a new kicker is hard for both of them,” Wright said. “And then the line does a great job. I just try to stay focused and make sure that when I’m on my own, I treat reps like game reps and then just be ready to do what I’m doing.”

One of the overarching themes of this Chiefs season has been opportunity. With so many players getting injured, a lot has been and continues to be asked of both the established players and the newcomers. Wright finds himself somewhere in the middle as someone who has some experience with special teams coordinator Dave Toub’s operation but is still putting other pieces together. Butker will eventually return from his meniscus injury and stabilize the position, but in the meantime his replacements will rise to the occasion.

Wright now has a crucial decisive moment behind him and is ready to build on his excellent 4v4 performance and claim a huge win.

“It’s huge,” Wright said. “Being able to make kicks in the NFL is great. Whenever I get to do that, I’m happy.”

Read more: Four takeaways from the Kansas City Chiefs’ 19-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers