Football fans are calling the Kansas City Chiefs–Baltimore Ravens game rigged after the officials missed several obvious penalties against Patrick Mahomes’ team.
During the first half of the Chiefs-Ravens NFL Kickoff Game, the NFL refs called a whopping four illegal formation penalties against Baltimore, including three on the game’s opening drive.
Even if you agree that all four of those infractions against the Ravens were correctly called, one can’t possibly overlook the officials’ failure to call it both ways. For example, take these, clear-as-day “false start and illegal formation penalties against Kansas City’s Jawaan Taylor that went uncalled:
I see we’re still doing this pic.twitter.com/WH0gI16Tuv
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 6, 2024
THE REFS APPEAR TO MISS ANOTHER FALSE START BY THE #CHIEFS TACKLE…
This has become a common theme.
(h/t @_iiito)pic.twitter.com/B9fOYPzaNP
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 6, 2024
Meanwhile here is Jawaan Taylor https://t.co/4gjcWONR24 pic.twitter.com/Jmk2NJJgz0
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) September 6, 2024
This is ridiculous.
This is not an illegal formation. pic.twitter.com/02x8jmB1tB
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) September 6, 2024
And so, football fans are naturally ripping on the NFL refs and accusing them of “rigging” the game in favor of Kansas City:
how come jawaan taylor doesn’t get called for these? rigged
— nuggetspeak⭐️⛏ (@ShowneyB) September 6, 2024
So, Taylor is in illegal formation and false start mode (as done in SB and never called) and NEITHER has been called BUT Ravens called for illegal formation. Like @NFL already rigging this for KC only three-peat in years? #NFL #notsorry #TruthBeTold pic.twitter.com/Mix88FpEAC
— (sportsnut72) finally football season then hockey (@sportsnut72) September 6, 2024
I love how refs didn’t call Taylor for offsides I mean… Refs are cheating for @Chiefs it’s a good thing Roger Goodell is doing what’s good for himself not for the @NFL fixed games. @NBCSports
— Laffy Taffy (@winggirle) September 6, 2024
The fact that the RT from @Chiefs false starts on every play and does not get called unless it’s three steps shows some really interesting bias. Great job in keeping it fair @NFL
— Pat Aldrich (@PWAENT) September 6, 2024
Juwaan Taylor getting away with a false start every play has to get fixed
— J (@BannedJoke) September 6, 2024
The @nfl has started early. Now 2 false starts on Jawaan Taylor. Not to mention he is way further back than Ronnie Stanley.
Biased..
Rigged … #ChiefsVsRavens
— Brutewarrior (@TheBruteWarrior) September 6, 2024
The Refs let assistant coach Steve Spagnuolo call a timeout instead of HC Andy Reid…🤔pic.twitter.com/5VBmOVzK0W https://t.co/hCf6ZrLK2o
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 6, 2024
It wouldn’t be your typical NFL game, especially a highly anticipated one like Baltimore vs. Kansas City, without the NFL refs stealing the spotlight early and often. Unfortunately, fans are again reminded that they’re in for another year full of controversies with the officials.
You may recall that the Chiefs were also the beneficiary of several questionable calls against the San Francisco 49ers in their Super Bowl 58 victory. Now that Kansas City is among the most hated NFL teams (their non-stop winning and all), you can expect plenty more accusations throughout the year that the league is rigging it in their favor.
Another Reminder That NFL Refs Have Lots Of Room For Improvement
There aren’t many jobs in the sporting world that are harder than being an NFL official. Fans understand the challenges and pressure they face, but there’s no questioning that the NFL hasn’t done enough to help enhance the officiating.
The NFL rarely reprimands its officials if they have awful performances. The league has had more than enough time to make all plays reviewable, but they still rely on the refs to make judgment calls on fouls like pass interference, roughing the passer, and holding.
So unless the league does something to change its officiating system, the controversies will never go away.
