NFL officiating crew that worked controversial Packers-Chiefs game under scrutiny
The NFL officiating crew which worked the Green Bay Packers (6-6)-Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) Week 13 game this past Sunday has come under scrutiny for not calling a blatant and potentially game-deciding pass interference penalty on the final drive of the game.
The play in question took place with under a minute remaining in the game with the Chiefs looking to even the score. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a deep pass to receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, which fell incomplete. Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine appeared to arrive early, going over Valdes-Scantling’s back before the ball arrived. Kansas City made a case for a pass interference call, ultimately to no avail. The missed call stifled the Chiefs’ comeback as the Packers held on for a 27-19 victory.
“I was on the ground. I couldn’t tell you. Know I tried to catch the ball and I couldn’t,” Valdes-Scantling said after the game.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the officiating crew, led by referee Brad Allen, will be monitored closely by the league when they officiate the Week 14 Houston Texans (7-5) – New York Jets (4-8) matchup Sunday.
“Many, including the NFL, will be watching to see if there’s another decision by Allen’s crew that draws the ire of teams the way it did the past two weeks,” Schefter wrote.
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NFL referee provides explanation for missed call in Packers-Chiefs game
Allen did provide an explanation after the game while speaking to a pool reporter.
“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.”
Former NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino said this week that the non-call against Valdes-Scantling was the most obvious missed call he has seen since the infamous Los Angeles Rams (6-6)-New Orleans Saints (5-7) NFC Championship Game in 2018.
In that instance, it was then Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman who got away with a blatant pass interference near the end of regulation. The no-call paved the way for Los Angeles to win the game and advance to Super Bowl LIII.