NFL officials tried to explain what happened on a controversial third down in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship game. Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.
On 3rd down with a little over 10 minutes to play in the game, the The Bengals stopped the Chiefs To pick up what was supposed to be a fourth. But the Chiefs had another chance to convert to third down instead of settling for a game after the officials recognized that the whistle had blown before the ball was dropped.
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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zach Taylor talks with referee Ronald Torbert, center and linesman Jeff Seaman during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium at GEHA Field in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The noise of Arrowhead Stadium seemed to keep the other officials from hearing the whistle. Bengals coach Zach Taylor was furious on the field. On the next play, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked for an 8-yard loss, but Bengals cornerback Eli Apple was called to handle the game.
In the pool report, officials explained what was going on. Pro Football Writers Association reporter Ben Baby asked referee Ron Torbert to explain what happened on the third down.
“Last game it was an incomplete pass and we saw the ball, but the linesman came in and lost the spot, so he saw the ball again,” explained Torbert. “We reset the play clock and the play clock started running. It shouldn’t have started running because there was an incomplete pass on the previous play.
Chiefs owner Brittany Mahomes has one final troll for the Bengals after the AFC championship.
“The home umpire noticed that the game clock was running and was going to stop the game so we could adjust the clock, but no one heard it and the play was made. He came in after the play was over and we discussed that he was trying to stop the game before the snap. So we put the game clock back to where it was before that photo and played on third down.
Referee Ronald Torbert reacts during the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The game has angered some fans on social media. Bengals wide receiver Ja Marr Chase was among those upset by the turnover.
Fortunately for the Bengals, the defense held tight against the Chiefs and forced them to punt after three more plays.
On Cincinnati’s next drive, Joe Burrow threw an interception. The game was tied at 20-20 in less than 7 minutes.
Chris Jones of the Chiefs drives during the Cincinnati Bengals AFC Championship Game January 29, 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Harrison kicks him Continue field goal Few seconds left to play.