The NFL seems to be listening to officiating criticism within the wake of a controversial penalty within the Kansas City Chiefs’ divisional-round win over the Houston Texans.
Penalties ensuing from quarterback slides are anticipated to turn into reviewable within the 2025 season via the NFL’s replay help system, ESPN reported Saturday.
There had been some penalties and performs involving Patrick Mahomes that got here below scrutiny following the Chiefs’ win over the Texans. The most controversial of the three occurred within the third quarter, when the Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o it appeared it hit Mahomes at the same time he began to fall in a racing present. However, most of his power was thrown in the direction of his teammate in the course of the play.
Even although Mahomes was a runner and the play was a little bit of an ungainly collision, To’oTo’o was flagged for an pointless tough patch penalty. The Chiefs received an computerized first down and later scored a landing on that drive to increase their result in eight factors.
That play could be reviewable if the NFL allowed replay assists to reevaluate penalties on quarterback slides. The different controversial hits involving Mahomes, nonetheless, wouldn’t be. The first penalty awarded to the Texans for successful on Mahomes was a roughing call to the passer in opposition to Will Anderson Jr., who excessive tackled the Chiefs quarterback after throwing a move within the first quarter.
(Related: Patrick Mahomes does not suppose officers are in favor of the Chiefs)
The different play got here on the identical drive because the controversial penalty and in addition concerned To’oTo’o. In the fourth quarter, To’oTo’o pushed Mahomes as he ran down the sideline. The Chiefs quarterback he seemed to exaggerate the contactmost likely in hopes of selecting up one other pointless harshness. No penalty was referred to as, so a replay help wouldn’t have been essential.
Mahomes took it upon himself to brighten this newest hit involving To’oTo’o simply days after the Chiefs’ victory.
“I might say the one time I felt like I did an excessive amount of was on the sideline the place I did not get the flag,” Mahomes said to 96.5 Il Fan. “The referees noticed it and he did not get the flag. I knew it immediately and I do know I most likely should not have completed it.”
Tom Brady talks officiating and the Chiefs
NFL on FOX’s lead analyst Tom Brady He was additionally amongst those that expressed some concern concerning the penalty given to To’oTo’o for his hit on Mahomes within the third quarter, imploring the NFL to alter the foundations concerning quarterbacks operating down the sector.
“When quarterbacks turn into operating backs they usually’re out of cash, they need to lose their safety,” Brady stated on “The herd.” “We’re making an attempt to guard quarterbacks, however coaches are calling extra quarterbacks than ever within the historical past of the sport. So, who protects the quarterback? Are we making an attempt to say referees ought to do that?”
Replay help has been a part of NFL video games since 2021, permitting for accelerated critiques to alter apparent calls on the sector. Currently, the purpose after a play and whether or not or not a move is accomplished are among the many performs reviewable for replay help. Penalties might be reviewed by way of replay assists beginning within the 2024 season, together with intentional grounding, late hits out of bounds and excessive hits to quarterbacks.
The NFL’s aggressive committee will meet on the league’s annual assembly scheduled for March 30-April 2.
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