Chiefs benefit from controversial ball spot that was upheld on review in win over Bills

If the NFL was hoping to quiet down the narrative that the Chiefs get favorable calls from the refs, they’ll have to wait for another day. A crucial spot that could potentially change the game occurred in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s AFC Championship game between the Bills and Chiefs, handing the Chiefs the ball after a fourth-down conversion attempt was ruled just short of a first down. Josh Allen attempted to sneak the ball on fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter with Buffalo holding a 22-21 lead at Arrowhead Stadium.While it looked as though Allen had gotten enough yardage after a push from his teammates, the refs spotted the ball short, giving the Chiefs the ball. Kansas City scored on the ensuing possession and converted on a two-point conversion to put them ahead 29-22.The Chiefs went on to win the game 32-29 to keep their hopes of a historic three-peat alive.The spot the officials used was questionable and had color commentator Tony Romo and CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore questioning the call on the broadcast. “I think he gained it,” Steratore said on air. “So did I,” Romo responded. Replay seemed to give credence to the notion that the ball had crossed the first-down line and one of the officials looked as though they were going to spot the ball in a position for a Bills’ first down. The situation came after another controversial call awarded Xavior Worthy a catch despite it looking like the ball had hit the ground late in the first half. None of this has done the league or the Chiefs any favors in terms of the perception that has developed that refs are favoring Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes attempted to push back on that earlier this week while speaking with reporters. “The referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and proper as best they can,” Mahomes said in a press conference. The Chiefs will fave the Eagles in Super Bowl 2025 on Feb.

9 in New Orleans. ...