The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26-25 after Harrison Butker kicked a 51-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.
However, immediately following the game, the conversation centered on a controversial pass interference call that occurred on fourth-and-16 with just 38 seconds remaining in the game, which helped the Chiefs seal the victory.
NFL Fans React to Pass Interference Call
On fourth-and-16, Patrick Mahomes threw an incomplete pass to Rashee Rice on the Chiefs’ 35, but Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony made contact with Rice just before the ball touched Rice’s hands.
Or, at least, that’s what the refs determined.
Many fans felt this was the wrong call, especially considering the circumstances.
The penalty kept Kansas City’s drive alive and put Butker in position to drill the game-winning kick.
Did the refs get it right?
Many fans argued that Anthony shouldn’t have flagged because he was making a play on the ball. The NFL rulebook states that it is not pass interference if a defender is making an attempt to intercept or bat the ball away.
A lot of people on Twitter seem to not understand that the DB has the same right to the ball as the WR. If he’s making a play on the ball and there happens to be contact, even if it’s early, it’s not pass interference.
— whitty (@BigWhittyStyle) September 15, 2024
Others pointed out just how early Anthony’s contact with Rice was, especially if you look at screenshots of the play.
Just show these to everyone saying that wasn’t pass interference. That’s pass interference 100 times out of 100. pic.twitter.com/IszqUKGKAN
— Bobby Hitt Jr (@BigHitWhitt) September 15, 2024
Some Bengals fans were quick to call this the “worst pass interference call ever.”
This will go down as the worst pass interference call ever pic.twitter.com/7DkXvup9ap
— NotJermaineBurton (@TylerBoydSzn) September 15, 2024
Since the Chiefs were on the receiving end of the call, conspiracy theories started flying, with people suggesting that the fix was in.
That's pass interference on the Cincinnati Bengals? LMFAO anything the refs to help the Kansas City Chiefs to win. Football has become unwatchable. Where is NBA and NHL when you need it? Good grief!
— Glenn Kaplan (@glennkaplan13) September 15, 2024
However, not everyone on social media was criticizing the officials.
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Robert Griffin III defended the referees, saying the call was a no-brainer.
LOTS of speculation about the Chiefs and the Refs out there, but you can’t run through a guys back before the ball gets there and complain when they throw a flag. NO QUESTION THAT’S PASS INTERFERENCE. pic.twitter.com/QO97Uk0LhW
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 15, 2024
Others criticized the Bengals’ coaching staff for having Anthony — a seventh-round rookie — on the field and covering the Chiefs’ WR1 in such an important situation.
4th and 16. You’re one play away from getting a massive victory.
Your team has outplayed the defending Super Bowl champs.
Daijahn Anthony is on the field.
I’m looking forward to the explanation.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) September 15, 2024
After the game, what did Bengals head coach Zac Taylor have to say about the play?
“You know, it’s one of those plays where we might benefit from that at some point this season. That’s what I told the guys,” Taylor said of the pass interference call.
“They’re calling it like they see it. I thought they called a very fair game, and they saw that as a penalty, so they called a penalty.”
Chiefs’ History of Favorable Pass Interference Calls
Again, a major reason for fans’ frustration about this call is that the controversial play involved the Chiefs, and there’s belief that they get a ton of favorable calls in situations like this.
For example, when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was called for defensive holding on a crucial third-and-8 with just 1:54 remaining in the game. After the automatic first down, Butker kicked a 27-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining to win the game.
During the Chiefs’ Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens, fans flooded social media with comments about how the contest was rigged and that the refs were calling everything in the Chiefs’ favor, particularly the numerous illegal formation penalties against Baltimore.
The final play of that game — a near-touchdown catch by Ravens TE Isaiah Likely — was also controversial.
After the game, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson added fuel to the conspiracy theorists’ fire, saying: “I thought it was a touchdown. I still think it was a touchdown.”
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and former Eagles C Jason Kelce recently talked about these claims on his “New Heights” podcast, with Jason bringing up the controversial Super Bowl flag.
“I think that it just opened up more criticism of the Chiefs getting favorable calls from the officials,” Jason said. “Do you have anything to say to that? I mean, you won a Super Bowl on it.”
First, Travis joked, “Keep ’em coming, refs!”
Then, he offered a serious response, pointing out that the Chiefs influenced the points of emphasis for NFL refs for this season.
“I just don’t get it,” Travis said. “I think if you look at the actual penalties that are being called, we have literally been [the reason for], what is it, the point of emphasis.”
“The reason they’re calling this is because of Jawaan Taylor this year and guys that were doing this a lot last year,” Jason said. “Just the reality of it, like Jawaan was like, he got called for it a lot last year.”
“Questioning officials started once challenging became a thing, and now it’s like, officials have this expectation to get calls right 100% of the time,” Jason added. “Then, it got taken to another level with the legalization of gambling. It is toxic to the point of people [being upset].”