The JFK assassination and NFL officiating calls – or non-calls — favoring the Kansas City Chiefs do not belong in the same sentence.
Yes, officials didn’t have the angle and missed an obvious pass-interference that would’ve given Atlanta first-and-goal from the 1-yard line in a tight fourth-quarter game. But don’t just cherry pick Bryan Cook’s public display of affection with Kyle Pitts; officials also called Chris Jones for roughing the passer.
Calls went both ways in Kansas City’s 22-17 win Sunday night at Atlanta. Just ask Falcons head coach Raheem Morris … wait, on second thought, never mind.
Morris may like his money, but NFL fines for public comments disparaging officials won’t go away. Neither will missed calls. In a thankless job dealing with judgment and imperfect science, officials just can’t win. The NFL game moves at 723 mph and even though their judgment is correct 99 percent of the time, the 1 percent officials miss attracts conspiracy theorists and those simply frustrated that they can’t determine just how to beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
But even Taylor Swift can’t trust Travis Kelce’s fantasy production, assuming that’s why she wasn’t in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In other words, the Chiefs are a good team and good teams find ways to win close games. Even with Kelce’s slow start, the Chiefs are just the fifth team in NFL history to win six consecutive games by seven points or fewer, including postseason.
Unlike other sports, the NFL never publicly admits an officiating mistake. Even before the Chiefs and Falcons kicked off Sunday night, officials missed a player apparently spitting on DeVonta Smith and a helmet-to-helmet collision at the end of the Rams’ victory over San Francisco that would’ve given San Francisco another play. They also flawlessly executed countless calls.
And as the world turns, Patrick Mahomes is 3-0, self-scouting and getting ready for an important AFC West clash with the Los Angeles Chargers.