On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs held on for a 27-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The game wasn’t always pretty for the Chiefs, but a win is a win. The result wasn’t the only topic of conversation following the game. The call of the game was the pass interference penalty called on Kansas City, which was subsequently waived off and picked up.
This reversal isn’t the first time the Chiefs find themselves at the center of an officiating controversy. The Chiefs benefited from a pass interference call in the Super Bowl in February, the Chiefs benefited from a pass interference penalty against the New York Jets last week, and now they benefited from a pass interference reversal this week.
Not only did the officials pick up the flag, but they allowed a player to remove his helmet following the play. Several on social media have pointed to there being an agenda.
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Social Media Reacts to the Ending of the Chiefs’ Game
Someone has some explaining to do! This is an automatic penalty. But, yet again for the Kansas City #Chiefs you let it slide???
We’re awaiting an explanation…👂👂 @NFLOfficiating | @nflcommish pic.twitter.com/sUcN8NGjIQ
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) October 8, 2023
Congrats to the Kansas City @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/Nyg7tiuNpg
— 49ERSFAITHFUL4LIFE/1013 (@BleednRednGold) October 8, 2023
I wish someone loved me as much as the NFL refs love the Kansas City Chiefs.
— haley (@haley_darling) October 9, 2023
Why Is the Chiefs Offense Struggling?
The Chiefs are evolving as an offense. Once upon a time, Kansas City was known for its explosive plays down the field. Tyreek Hill isn’t walking through that door. The Chiefs have attempted to replace the loss of “The Cheetah” with players such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Rashee Rice. No one has been able to fill the shoes left behind.
MORE: NFL Offense Rankings 2023
Don’t feel sorry for the Chiefs. Kansas City won the Super Bowl last season with a more balanced approach. QB Patrick Mahomes continues working his magic with veteran stalwart TE Travis Kelce. The Chiefs also have focused on becoming more balanced, establishing a running game featuring Isiah Pacheco.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Tyreek Hill says the #Chiefs got “saved” in the Super Bowl by the ref’s holding call on James Bradberry… 👀
“The Chiefs got saved like that last year for real though, against the Eagles in the Super Bowl if we being for real.”
He says the Chiefs got saved in… pic.twitter.com/ZHCI0HOd3i
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 6, 2023
NFL defenses have committed to preventing the big plays of the Chiefs, forcing them to dink and dunk their way down the field. The 2023 season is still young. Give Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid enough time, and they will figure out how to overcome the offense’s shortcomings.
What’s the Latest on Travis Kelce’s Injured Ankle?
Kelce left the Chiefs/Vikings game at halftime, limping. The All-Pro TE and Taylor Swift’s biggest fan returned to action in the second half. Kelce will likely get some time off during practices this week, but don’t expect him to miss any game action.
What Did Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell Say About the Non-Call?
Social media users were not the only ones miffed following the referees picking up the pass interference call. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell had this to say.
"I've gotta be careful here Ben…"#Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell talked with @nacholeber about the controversial no-call late in today's game. pic.twitter.com/9nUc3NZEVs
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 9, 2023
“When the flag came out in the first place, I was not surprised in that moment that was called a flag,” O’Connell said. “I’m trying to figure out where and when that veered the other way.”