Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Monday that wideout Kadarius Toney didn't check his alignment with the official before he was called for an offsides penalty that wiped out what would have been a go-ahead touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 loss against the Buffalo Bills.
NFL @NFLPlay was called back but can't believe Kelce tried this 😮<br><br>📺: <a href="">#BUFvsKC</a> on CBS<br>📱: Stream on <a href="">#NFLPlus</a> <a href=""> <a href="">
Both Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes were incredibly critical of the decision to call the penalty following the game.
"I've played seven years (and) never had offensive offside called," Mahomes told reporters. "That's elementary school (stuff) we're talking about. There was no warning throughout the entire game. Then you wait until there's a minute left in the game to make a call like that? It's tough. Lost for words. It's tough. Regardless if we win or lose, just the end of another game and we're talking about the refs. It's just not what we want for the NFL and for football."
Peter Schrager @PSchragsAs I just referenced on <a href="">@gmfb</a> (per researcher Rich Goldberg), the last time the <a href="">@Chiefs</a> have been called for an offensive offsides was 1995. <br><br>Jeff Criswell was called for offensive offsides in 1995 Week 7 against the Patriots.
Kevin Seifert @SeifertESPNThere have been 13 flags for *offensive* offside this season, per <a href="">@ESPNStatsInfo</a>, the highest total in decades. Since 2000, there has never been more than 6 in a season. Mostly related to "tush push" enforcement, but notable after the Chiefs controversy last night.
The star quarterback, who generally keeps a more composed and jovial demeanor, was irate both on the sidelines and during the postgame handshakes between players and coaches.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportPatrick Mahomes HEATED on the sidelines during the Chiefs loss 😳<br><br>(via <a href="">@NFLonCBS</a>)<a href="">
Thad Brown @thadbrown7Patrick Mahomes was still upset about the offside call meeting with Josh Allen after the game. <a href="">#Billsmafia</a> <a href="">
He wasn't alone in his frustrations.
"Very disappointed that it ended the way it did," Reid said in his postgame presser. "Normally I'll get—I never use any of this as excuses, but normally I get a warning before something like that happens in a big game. (It's) a bit embarrassing in the National Football League for that to take place."
Jonathan Jones @jjones9The postgame comments from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes regarding officiating will be reviewed by the league, per a source.
Generally in the NFL, wideouts will check with the officials to make sure they are properly aligned—either on the ball or off the ball—and aren't in the neutral zone, which Toney clearly was. Often, officials will give a player or coach a warning if an alignment is off.
Referee Carl Cheffers said in the pool report, however, that down judge Mike Carr saw Toney lined up so far offsides that he couldn't even see the ball.
"Ultimately, they are responsible for wherever they line up," he said. "No warning is required, especially if they are lined up so far offsides where they're actually blocking our view of the ball. We would give them a warning if it was anywhere close, but this particular one is beyond a warning."
Sunday Night Football on NBC @SNFonNBCRules analyst Terry McAulay breaks down the penalty at the end of the Bills v Chiefs game. <a href="">
scott pianowski @scott_pianowskiI've enjoyed the Chiefs for years. Andy Reid, Hall of Famer. Travis Kelce, Hall of Famer. I still think Patrick Mahomes is the most talented guy in the league. But the Chiefs reaction to the Buffalo loss and the Toney play has been tone deaf every step of the way. Bad look.
Jemele Hill @jemelehillAndy Reid is right and wrong at the same time. Officials will warn you, but that's at their discretion. At the end of the day, it doesn't sound good to blame the ref for something the player actually did. <a href="">
trey wingo @wingozHonestly the amount whining by the <a href="">@Chiefs</a> after the game is embarrassing. It also points out their frustration level on their constant mistakes. Quit killing yourselves ans you won't need to blame the refs
In other words, the buck stops with Toney, who has had a mistake-riddled and drop-heavy season for the Chiefs.
Kansas City also had three more chances to get a first down after the penalty, needing only a field goal to force overtime, and couldn't capitalize. Either way you slice it, a blown opportunity for the Chiefs.
