With less than a minute to go against the Green Bay Packers Sunday night, Patrick Mahomes fired a ball deep toward receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and the Kansas City sideline awaited a yellow flag with cornerback Carrington Valentine draped all over the receiver before the ball
No flag appeared, however, and the Chiefs eventually fell to the Packers 27-19. When ESPN reporter Adam Teicher asked if he received an explanation from the officials, head coach Andy Reid paused before answering.
“You know what, Adam,” Reid said before pausing. “No, I didn’t.
Referee Brad Allen did explain after the game, but it’s not an answer likely to satisfy the Chiefs or their fans. Pro Football Writers of America pool reporter Calvin Watkins asked Allen what he saw on the play.
“As you may know, on every play where there may or not be pass interference, either offensive or defensive, the covering official has to rule whether contact materially restricts the receiver,” Allen said. “And in this case, the covering officials were in good position and ruled that there was no material restriction that rose to the level of defensive pass interference.
The ball appeared to be catchable for Valdes-Scantling, and Allen didn’t dispute that.
“I’m not aware that catchability was involved. The covering official simply did not feel that there was the level of contact that rose to a material restriction for defensive pass interference.”
Mahomes didn’t blame the non-call for the loss, however.
“It is what it is, man,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, the guy was probably a little early, but at the end of the game they’re letting guys play. I’m kind of about that. I’d rather you let the guys play and let the guys win it on the field. It’s a hard job man. When we’re in that situation, I can’t be wanting a flag. I have to go out there and win the game myself and with the rest of my teammates.”
The non-call for defensive pass interference wasn’t the only controversial call of the game. Two plays before the disputed non-call for pass interference, the Chiefs picked up 15 yards for an unnecessary roughness penalty after Packers safety Jonathan Owens hit Mahomes as he was going out of bounds.
“The covering official believed that the defender made late and unnecessary contact on the quarterback,” Allen said. “So that was the call for unnecessary roughness.”
When asked if there was a discussion on whether Mahomes was still in bounds or not, Allen replied, “Internal conversations happen on every play and the covering official was certain that the call had been made correctly.”
