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The Kansas City Chiefs’ Sunday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers ended in controversial fashion as several of the penalty calls — or lack thereof — from the officiating crew were openly questioned on both the broadcast and social media.
“You know what, Adam, I’m — no, I didn’t,” head coach Andy Reid responded after ESPN’s Adam Teicher asked if he received an explanation on the perceived defensive pass interference non-calls during the final possession of the game. Reid chose not to elaborate on that answer, which he seemed to cut short abruptly.
The first occurred on a deep ball targeting wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, shared by The 33rd Team NFL insider Ari Meirov below.
Meirov referred to the defender’s coverage as a “piggy back ride.” KSHB41’s Aaron Ladd also spoke with Valdes-Scantling at his locker.
“I couldn’t see anything because I was on the ground,” the wideout replied gruffly. Adding, “I don’t know, man, it’s up to the officials,” when asked if he thought there should have been a flag.
“I know I tried to catch the ball and I couldn’t,” Valdes-Scantling admitted after one final question on the contact.
This wasn’t the only pass interference that Chiefs fans wanted called. On the final play, quarterback Patrick Mahomes II heaved a Hail Mary into the end zone, and tight end Travis Kelce appeared to be shoved from behind as he jumped up for the football. Needless to say, no flags were thrown on this attempt either.
NFL Community Rips NFL Referees in Chiefs vs. Packers
To be clear, Kansas City benefitted from one or two controversial calls as well. Ex-Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz summed up all the bad moments from the referees after the game.
He wrote: “I hate doing the ref thing but when so many bad calls happen in critical situations it’s hard not to discuss it: Creed [Humphrey] hold to negate 1st and goal, Chiefs settle for FG. Pat [Mahomes] inbounds on ‘late’ hit. MVS clear and obvious PI. MVS on sideline, clock kept running. Last play shove.”
Some of the decisions that Schwartz brought up helped the Chiefs, while others aided the Packers — making his assessment pretty fair overall.
The former Super Bowl champion wasn’t the only ex-NFL player to comment on the officiating.
“These refs have to be held accountable in some way,” voiced former defensive back turned ESPN analyst Louis Riddick. “Those are two of the worst calls in a critical moment that I may have seen in a long long time.”
Many others around the Chiefs and NFL community weighed in as well, including Fox4 KC’s Harold Kuntz.
“You don’t need to bring in [rules expert] Terry McAulay frankly and respectfully.. it’s a PI, 100% .. it’s not a late hit .. it’s hands to the face .. it’s a crap show in a primetime setting,” he stated bluntly.
MLFootball also posted a “CLEAR hands to the face” on a key Jordan Love completion that looked to impede KC defensive end Mike Danna as he worked his way to the quarterback.
Packers QB Jordan Love Came to Play as Chiefs Traveled to Lambeau Field
The big story in this outing — aside from the officiating — was the play of the Packers QB. Love threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns against a typically stingy Chiefs secondary. His ESPN total QBR was an impressive 90.3.
Mahomes had his moments as well, although a late interception likely lowered his QBR significantly, finishing at a 53.7. The miscue may have been caused by miscommunication with wide receiver Skyy Moore.
From a Chiefs standpoint, the run game was rolling. Isiah Pacheco carried the rock for 110 yards and a touchdown, but was unfortunately disqualified after throwing a punch late in the fourth quarter.
We’ll have to wait and see if there will be any additional repercussions from the league.
Kelce led Kansas City in receiving yards with 81, while rookie WR Rashee Rice logged the most catches and targets — hauling in eight-of-nine from Mahomes. Backup tight end Noah Gray scored the lone receiving touchdown of the game.
The final score was 27-19, with the Chiefs coming up just short of the end zone down eight.
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