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Kadarius Toney became the talk of the NFL after a crucial offsides call in the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Bills. The wideout’s gaffe wiped an incredible go-ahead touchdown from the board in the game’s final minutes.
The call sparked an immediate reaction from players, fans, and media.
#Chiefs Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce to Kadarius Toney for the touchdown, but it’s called back pic.twitter.com/QxyP6bhqAc
— Tanner Phifer Highlight Hub – @TannerPhiferNFL (@hub_pf40320) December 11, 2023
Patrick Mahomes was livid with the penalty believing it shouldn’t have been called in a situation with such magnitude.
“You want to see the guys on the field decide the game,” he said after the loss. “You wait until there’s a minute left in the game to make a call like that? Loss for words.”
Head coach Andy Reid admits that he didn’t believe Toney checked with the officials after getting set, though video shows him looking over to the sidelines before the snap.
Whether that was enough to justify his position on the field is up for debate.
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When all was said and done, the flag might’ve cost the Chiefs an important win in the postseason race. Kansas City now sits at 8-5 and just a game up in the AFC West standings.
But new video shows the team could have a legitimate gripe with that crucial penalty call.
Whether or not you believe Toney was lined up offsides is less relevant given the fact it looks like he’d done this throughout the game without being flagged.
Dan Orlovsky broke down some film from the matchup showing Toney’s position at the line of scrimmage on multiple plays.
Youre gonna want to watch this@Chiefs @ArrowheadPride @LauraRutledge @minakimes @Realrclark25 #NFLLIVE pic.twitter.com/1id9ZIaHon
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 11, 2023
“I watched every single snap from that game,” the former NFL QB said. “Not one time did he check with officials, but that play that we’re talking about was not the first time it happened in the game.”
The clip shows a number of instances where Toney was lined up on or ahead of the line of scrimmage, yet no flag was thrown, and no warning given.
Did the officiating crew choose to call that final play differently than had the rest of the contest? It seems plausible given this new information, though the reasoning behind that decision is unclear.
Unfortunately, the revelation will only add to the Chiefs’ frustrations with the referees.