In Week 4, a controversial defensive hold negated an interception and helped the Kansas City Chiefs lock up a victory over the New York Jets. In Week 5’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, it was a no-call that helped the Chiefs.
Trailing 27-20, the Vikings faced a fourth-and-12. Kirk Cousins’ pass to Jordan Addison was incomplete but the Chiefs seemed to get a break. A flag was initially thrown for what appeared to be pass interference on L’Jarius Sneed.
Only, after some discussion, the flag was picked up and the Chiefs took possession.
Chiefs get the benefit of another disputed call (or in this case, no-call). pic.twitter.com/8t3MfDIpZZ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 8, 2023
This much is undeniable. Sneed taking his helmet off should have been penalized. That said, once the decision to waive off the penalty was made, it would have a dead-ball foul. The Chiefs would have been penalized yardage, but would have maintained possession.
Now, what about the no-call? Was it the right move? Gene Steratore, CBS’ rules analyst, gave the no-call his nod of approval.
Gene Steratore agrees with picking up the flag.
"First of all, when the back judge is walking over to the side official, he may be talking to him about catchability. Then the conversation can increase more to, 'Do you think they're running with each other happy to be there?' I… https://t.co/HfBpGmi0AM
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 8, 2023
But what about the rest of the NFL world?
This wasn’t as universally panned as the defensive holding that helped the Chiefs beat the Jets in Week 4 was. There were plenty of people who thought the right call was made. Others, though, felt that the Chiefs got away with another mistake.
The #Chiefs got away with a pass interference AND L’Jarius Sneed not getting a penalty for taking his helmet off…
What is going on? pic.twitter.com/dL3vv8v1v3
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 8, 2023
How can anyone with a straight face say this was not pass interference? https://t.co/yUqiDnLmQm
— Michael Moats (@MichaelRMoats) October 8, 2023
Then there was a pass interference called, and then picked up (🤷♂️)
And L’Jarius Sneed takes his helmet off after the play, which the broadcast acknowledged should’ve been called
pic.twitter.com/4fPPtF3F10— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) October 8, 2023
The ball was nowhere near the Vikings receiver guys. That would’ve been a generous DPI. https://t.co/u3xZCheZj9
— RA (@RApollos) October 8, 2023
Classic https://t.co/DIziR4fu2B
— Sam Mines (@SMines57) October 8, 2023
Blow to the head: No call.
Illegal hands to the face: No call.
Pass interference: No call.
Takes helmet off on the field: No call
Can the #NFL love #ChiefsKingdom more than T-Swift loves Kelce?
100% yes.
— 𝕵. 𝕭. (@JohnnyBSkol) October 8, 2023
Chiefs got away with pass interference AND defensive back removing helmet to question the call. #SwiftEffect
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 8, 2023
The Vikings did get the ball back but the Chiefs defense held to secure a 27-20 win.
[Photo Credit: CBS]
