The New York Jets were victims of a controversial call during Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs when star cornerback Sauce Gardner was flagged for defensive holding which negated an interception late in the game. That call may have gotten all of the headlines, but there was a far more blatant missed call in the game that also hurt the Jets.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs faced a third-and-22 scenario with just over six minutes left on the clock, leading the Jets by a score of 23-20. Mahomes was able to get the first down, but the replay clearly shows that the Chiefs should have been flagged for holding, negating the play and backing them up another 10 yards.
As Mahomes escapes the pocket and heads upfield, Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson can be seen trying to make a play, but he can’t get away from offensive tackle Donovan Smith as he’s being blatantly held. He even flails his arms in the air
Blatant holding against Donovan Smith could not be any more clearly in the line of sight of umpire Mike Morton @NFL @NFLOfficiating pic.twitter.com/u82HtiuDnW
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) October 2, 2023
It was quite clearly a hold that should have been called and likely would have resulted in the Jets getting the ball back. It was a horrible mistake by the referees to miss the call, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it.
Is this the worst missed call in nfl history? He held him for about 15 mins. I don’t think the broadcast even made mention of it???
Wow 3rd and 22! Yea it’s easy when you’re blatantly holding pic.twitter.com/uLh7F8AzBp
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) October 2, 2023
HOW IS THAT NOT A HOLD pic.twitter.com/CtTt0hWSeu
— Gavin McHugh (@gavinmchughh) October 2, 2023
This play is nothing for the league to celebrate. It was a blatant hold. Did the NFL orchestrate this with officials https://t.co/Gh7yTDecqh
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 2, 2023
They got two refs back there staring at #11 fighting for his life being held clearly for the world to see. No flag. https://t.co/IZKL9pnc7O
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) October 2, 2023
look at 79 holding 11 all day long https://t.co/kde67KQZLH
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) October 2, 2023
Cheifs getting bailed out omg how do u miss this holding flag https://t.co/rAQm7FuN0y pic.twitter.com/EpIxnzV742
— ໊ (@frozeup) October 2, 2023
It’s safe to say it was not the best game for the referees.
