Chiefs Violated NFL Rules in Victory Over Ravens, Reports Say

In Kansas City, the relationship between the Chiefs and referees has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, especially after a recent game. On Thursday night, the two-time defending Super Bowl champions kicked off their season with a 27-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium, but it wasn’t without controversy.

The game’s climax, marked by a dramatic moment, came when an Isaiah Likely touchdown was nullified just as time expired. Video replays confirmed that the Baltimore tight end’s foot was indeed out of bounds while catching a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson, thereby negating the score.

However, prior to that incident, an even more contentious moment unfolded, one that showcased a clear infraction by the Chiefs going unpunished. As the first half was winding down, Jackson and the Ravens pushed deep into Chiefs territory, aiming for a go-ahead touchdown with just nine seconds left on the clock.

During this critical juncture, the Chiefs’ defense seemed unprepared, prompting defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to move down the sideline in an urgent bid to call a timeout. This action caught the attention of former NFL referee Terry McAulay, who now serves as a rules expert for NBC. He pointed out that, according to league rules, only head coach Andy Reid has the authority to request a timeout from the sideline.

As the broadcast noted, McAulay stated, “He can’t do that; it has to be the head coach that comes down. The assistant coach, nobody else can call a timeout on the sideline except the head coach.”

In a surprising turn of events, the officials granted Spagnuolo’s timeout request despite the violation of protocol. While the rules stipulate that any timeout granted in error stands and the game is halted, this misstep was significant for the Chiefs.

This time out proved crucial. The Chiefs were able to regroup, effectively stifling the Ravens’ momentum. Instead of a touchdown, the Ravens settled for a field goal from Justin Tucker, allowing the Chiefs to go into halftime with a narrow 13-10 lead.

Throughout the match, the Ravens challenged the Chiefs, but it was rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy who emerged as the standout performer. Worthy scored two pivotal touchdowns, showcasing not only his skills through the air but also a brilliantly executed run that highlighted his remarkable speed.

Yet, the game remained tense. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens crafted a threatening two-minute drive, trailing by a touchdown. However, the drama intensified when Jackson overlooked a wide-open Zay Flowers in the end zone, a miss that could have tied the game.

On the next play, Jackson found Likely, who appeared poised to score. Unfortunately for the Ravens, he was unable to keep both feet in bounds before hitting the turf, resulting in yet another missed opportunity.

The Chiefs will now prepare to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in their next matchup, while the Ravens look toward their upcoming game at home against the Las Vegas Raiders, hoping to ignite their season.