Football fans are blasting the NFL refs once again following a controversial ending in the Kansas City Chiefs-Cincinnati Bengals Week 2 contest at Arrowhead Stadium.
The NFL refs in the Chiefs-Bengals game are receiving immense criticism over a controversial call that helped Patrick Mahomes and the defending champions squeak by with a 26-23 victory.
Trailing by two points with less than a minute remaining, Kansas City faced a 4th-and-16 situation at their own 35. Mahomes’ pass to Rashee Rice fell incomplete, but safety Daijahn Anthony was flagged for defensive pass interference:
Refs waited to throw the flag till after he saw the Chiefs would not be able to convert on 4th down. 1st down conversion for them. #CINvsKC pic.twitter.com/pPoKBFEyNN
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) September 15, 2024
Additionally, the video below shows that the NFL refs failed to call Kansas City’s offensive line for blatant holding that should have offset the PI call against Anthony, meaning it would be a replay of 4th-and-16:
🚨BREAKING🚨NEW FOOTAGE SHOWS A #BENGALS PLAYER WAS HELD BY TWO #CHIEFS LINEMEN, BUT WAS NOT CALLED A PENALTY.
IT WOULD HAVE OFFSET THE PI PENALTY DOWNFIELD, THAT HELPED KC WIN THE GAME.
THIS IS WILD…
pic.twitter.com/LlYj2MwkYy— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 16, 2024
So as you would expect, social media wasted no time blasting head official Alex Kemp and the NFL refs while accusing them of rigging the game:
“The Chiefs turn it over on….”
The refs: pic.twitter.com/DYAGIiYSvm
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) September 15, 2024
Refs have to stop interfering with classics. I don’t respect this game or win.. Bengals was the better team point blank period and like I said we will see each other in the AFC championship Game 💯🙏🏾
— A-1 Chiefs (@KCSteppa) September 15, 2024
The refs whenever the Kansas City Chiefs play: pic.twitter.com/QzW0xjvqZw
— Best Celebrations (@bestcelly) September 15, 2024
You literally can’t convince me the refs don’t make calls to favor the Chiefs
It’s so blatantly obvious it’s comical
— Bengals Graphics (@BengalsGraphic5) September 15, 2024
Give every game to the Chiefs rest of season. Refs in their favor every game. Why play the game if we know results beforehand?
— T.J. Houshmandzadeh (@housh84) September 15, 2024
You’ll have to blowout the chiefs to win against them, if it’s a one score game the refs will call anything in there favor lmfao. Might be the most rigged nonsense in sports
— fendi (@fendii_30) September 15, 2024
The Chiefs get bailed out by the refs again.
This was called PI, but both players are going up for the ball. RIGGED!#CINvsKC pic.twitter.com/57cE8qF2Bb
— Mike McDaniel (@MikMcDaniel) September 15, 2024
Refs deciding this game. #Chiefs #Bengals #CINvsKC pic.twitter.com/7WtW3s42IK
— AC (@ACinPhilly) September 15, 2024
The refs walking into the Kansas City Chiefs locker room after the Bengals game.
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) September 15, 2024
The refs when the Chiefs are about to lose: pic.twitter.com/6SMUHVJNVZ
— Barstool Cincinnati (@UCBarstool) September 15, 2024
Another controversial call saw the officials flag Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for unsportsmanlike conduct. Chase was upset over a missed illegal hip-drop tackle that would have given the Bengals a fresh set of downs.
Ja'Marr Chase gets called for an unsportsmanlike conduct here. It looks like he is complaining about a missed facemask call. The broadcast conveniently only shows the replay of Chase complaining and not the tackle… #CINvsKC pic.twitter.com/joM2DX1PIp
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) September 15, 2024
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Kemp refused to repeat what Chase said to him, only stating it was “abusive language.” Regardless of what you feel about the call, the NFL refs have unfortunately found another way to be a prime talking point about an otherwise thrilling game.
NFL Refs Steal The Spotlight Again
It wouldn’t be a typical week of NFL football without officiating controversies. Though Anthony probably committed pass interference, the Chiefs certainly got away with blatant holding on that 4th-and-16 play.
The NFL hasn’t shown much desire to put in new rules or systems that could improve the officiating system, so this is just how it is. Fans have to get used to it, if they aren’t already.
