Chiefs vs. Saints and NFL refs (Photos via ESPN)
Another week of football, another instance of NFL refs under scrutiny for missing an obvious penalty call.
The latest criticism of the NFL refs occurred during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 5 home game against the New Orleans Saints. The game was probably over anyway, but the officials have no excuse for missing a clear-as-day pass interference penalty call.
The officiating controversy took place in the fourth quarter with New Orleans trailing by 13. Jake Haener had to finish the game for New Orleans after starting quarterback Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury.
Haener attempted a pass to wide receiver Chris Olave, who was blatantly interfered with by Chiefs safety Bryan Cook. Incredibly, the NFL refs didn’t bother to throw a flag here:
Looks like a missed pass interference call here as Chiefs CB Bryan Cook clearly makes early contact on Chris Olave. pic.twitter.com/Eh02CBNOLx
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 8, 2024
Even Troy Aikman couldn’t believe the play didn’t draw a flag:
Troy Aikman saying it should be a flag but can’t blame refs for wanting to go home? Not funny Troy! We know they love Chiefs #MNF pic.twitter.com/D74d4cjK07
— Connie Carberg (@ConnieScouts) October 8, 2024
As you would have expected, this non-call that benefited the Chiefs caused plenty of outrage from fans, with some even accusing the NFL of “rigging” it for Patrick Mahomes and the defending champs:
When I saw them throw a flag for the chiefs last year AFTER the play was over and the replay which the analysts agreed showed NOTHING, I knew that these games are getting rigged
— Jax (@Jax55555555) October 8, 2024
NFL needs a new script. Boring as f
— Footballtalk (@Footbal63328546) October 8, 2024
Rigged for Chiefs to go undefeated.
— 24-God Is Good-7 (@336wehttam) October 8, 2024
blatant holding and PI on chiefs, not called as usual. Thanks @nfl and it is clear Joe and Troy love the chiefs, cant wait to come back in a month. #rigged.
— Tijuana Madman (@F00TbaIIFan) October 8, 2024
Which one of these plays was called for defensive pass interference, wrong answers only? pic.twitter.com/uE2zzU3E7f
— 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@BengalsCaptain) October 8, 2024
Reminder Bengals do this And they get flag by the ref
— Benjamin (@Benjamin_S_Jr) October 8, 2024
Are we even surprised anymore all of their wins are fraudulent
— imani 3.0 (@positionsmafiaa) October 8, 2024
of course the refs are cheating for the chiefs again
— 𝘾𝙤𝙬𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙨 𝘿𝙪𝙗𝙨 (@CowboysDubs) October 8, 2024
For what it’s worth, the penalty calls were almost even on Monday evening. New Orleans was flagged five times by the NFL refs for 70 yards, and the Chiefs were called for six infractions with 55 yards.
With the victory, the Chiefs improved to 5-0 heading into their bye week. As for the Saints, they have now lost three in a row following a once-promising 2-0 start. They host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST.
NFL Refs Weren’t The Issue In Chiefs-Saints Game
There was immense backlash against the NFL refs in the Chiefs-Cincinnati Bengals Week 2 game. There, the Bengals’ game-winning stop on fourth down was nullified by a controversial pass interference call that set up Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal.But the officials cannot be blamed for this outcome. The Chiefs were the better team from start to finish, and even if Cook was flagged for PI on Olave, it’s not like the Saints were about to score two late touchdowns against the NFL’s No. 1 team.
