One other sport between the Buffalo Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs got here all the way down to the top, and the Payments, combating for his or her playoff lives, got here out on high Sunday by a remaining rating of 20-17.
However within the speedy aftermath of that sport, all anybody is speaking about — particularly in Kansas Metropolis — is an offsides name that worn out what would have been the go-ahead landing for the Chiefs, and might need been the Play of the Yr.
As mentioned right here, with the Chiefs trailing by three and simply over a minute remaining, Patrick Mahomes dropped to throw, and located tight finish Travis Kelce deep over the center. The tight finish pulled within the throw and turned upfield, however then recalled his quarterback days, throwing an ideal spiral to Toney, who raced into the top zone for what appeared just like the go-ahead rating:
Nonetheless, a flag was down.
As a result of Toney lined up offsides.
That took the TD off the board, and left the Chiefs searching for one other massive play. However as CBS Sports activities broadcaster Jim Nantz famous, the wind had actually been taken out of their sails. And when the Chiefs failed on a fourth-down conversion strive, Mahomes was past heated on the sidelines:
That ire carried over to the locker room, and was mirrored by his coach.
“To remove greatness like that … I do know as followers you wish to see the fellows on the sector determine the sport.”
– Patrick Mahomes on the offsides name that negated a TD pic.twitter.com/AVh2CWsjli
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) December 11, 2023
Reid referred to as it “embarrassing” for the NFL:
Right here’s Andy Reid’s ideas on the decision: “Normally I get a warning earlier than one thing like that occurs. It is a bit embarrassing within the Nationwide Soccer League for that to happen. I’ve been within the league for a very long time… Haven’t had one like that.” https://t.co/COm68xRjnL
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) December 11, 2023
For each the coach and the quarterback, their fault lies with the method, and never the underlying name itself. Each Reid and Mahomes acknowledge that Toney was aligned offsides, however each level out that sometimes, a warning is given earlier than such a flag is thrown.
Which is what Mahomes factors out right here, whereas sending some love Josh Allen’s means:
Patrick Mahomes makes clear it is not about whether or not it was offsides or not – he acknowledges Toney was near the road and “barely” over. It is in regards to the typical protocol relating to offensive offsides. Usually, there’s communication between the ref and the extensive receiver.…
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) December 11, 2023
Officiating has actually been a narrative all through this season, and given how this sport ended, you might be certain it is going to stay a subject of dialog all week lengthy.
If not longer.
