CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz addressed his error at the end of the Buffalo Bills–Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship clash, where he incorrectly stated that there was a flag on the field moments after the game’s biggest play
Facing a 4th-and-5 situation and his team down by three with two minutes remaining, Josh Allen was looking to keep the Bills’ season alive with a pivotal conversion. He heaved a desperate pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who saw the game-saving reception fall through his fingers.
The sorrow of Bills Mafia and excitement of Chiefs fans watching at home was briefly paused, however. CBS’ scorebug displayed a “flag” graphic, and Jim Nantz told the viewers there was a flag on the play.
After moments of confusion, Nantz interrupted partner Tony Romo and stated there was no flag after all. The Chiefs melted the clock and held on for a 32-29 win to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.
CBS just made the world think that there was a flag on the Bills' crucial fourth-down play in the AFC Championship Game. 🏈📺🎙️😬 #NFL pic.twitter.com/cqzODHznGC
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 27, 2025
Speaking to Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated about the error, Jim Nantz stated that he didn’t see a penalty marker himself but called it because the “flag” graphic popped up. In short, it was simply a miscommunication by the graphics team and the announcers:
“When you have flags on the field, they can be thrown in the secondary, in the offensive backfield, all over the place. So, there’s a spotter that works in coordination with the broadcast team.
“I’m just taking what information is passed along. I’m scanning the field and for the life of me I can’t find a flag. But the graphic is up and I’m told, which just part of the chain of communication, I’m told there’s a flag. The first thing you do when you’re told that is you scan the field and identify for your own edification. What are they looking at? Where did this take place? I couldn’t find it.”
Chiefs fans went through a similar experience six years ago, when Charvarius Ward’s apparent game-sealing interception off Tom Brady in the 2018 AFC Championship Game was called back by Dee Ford’s offside penalty.
Luckily for them this time, CBS simply just made an honest mistake. There was no penalty that gave the Bills a second chance.
Jim Nantz & Tony Romo Wrap Up Eighth Season Together
With Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady calling Super Bowl 59 between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles for FOX Sports, the AFC Championship Game marked the final NFL game assignment for Nantz and Romo this season.
Nantz will be back in the broadcast booth in April to call the PGA Masters tournament for CBS. Romo, on the other hand, can enjoy a nice eight-month vacation before returning to the booth in September.
