In a déjà vu moment for the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Patrick Mahomes found himself frustrated for the second consecutive week, attributing their woes to officiating decisions. This time, it was a crucial offside penalty called on wide receiver Kadarius Toney that nullified a potential game-changing touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.
The flagged penalty erased a spectacular 49-yard touchdown play, featuring an unconventional cross-field lateral from tight end Travis Kelce to Toney. This play, if not for the penalty, would have given the Chiefs the lead with just over a minute remaining in the game. Instead, they faced a turnover on downs, resulting in a 20-17 loss, marking their second consecutive defeat.
Mahomes expressed his discontent, highlighting that usually, a receiver is warned before being penalized for an offside infraction. However, he stated that Toney was never given such a warning.
“I’ve played seven years [and] never had offensive offside called,” Mahomes said. “That’s elementary school [stuff] we’re talking about. There was no warning throughout the entire game. Then you wait until there’s a minute left in the game to make a call like that? It’s tough. Lost for words. It’s tough. Regardless if we win or lose, just the end of another game and we’re talking about the refs. It’s just not what we want for the NFL and for football.”
Mahomes, visibly agitated on the sidelines, confronted the officials regarding the call while the Bills managed the clock after regaining possession. He revealed that he approached three different officials but received no response.
In a pool report, referee Carl Cheffers explained that down judge Mike Carr observed Toney lined up offside. Cheffers stated, “Ultimately, they are responsible for wherever they line up. No warning is required, especially if they are lined up so far offsides where they’re actually blocking our view of the ball. We would give them a warning if it was anywhere close, but this particular one is beyond a warning.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid echoed Mahomes’ sentiments, emphasizing that neither he nor any of the Chiefs receivers received warnings about any offside infractions. Reid characterized the penalty as “a bit embarrassing in the National Football League for that to take place.”
Officiating controversies also marred the Chiefs’ previous game, a 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers, where an apparent pass interference penalty in the game’s final moments went uncalled.
Mahomes acknowledged the brilliance of Kelce’s play, despite its ultimate nullification, describing it as “a legendary moment” that only a select few would dare to attempt.