Horrible spot could have marred Chiefs' final drive of regulation (2024)
Luckily, Super Bowl LVIII lacked an officiating controversy. The key word is “luckily.”
As explained on Tuesday’s PFT Live, the first play of the final drive of regulation in Super Bowl LVIII included a bad spot. A very bad spot. An egregiously bad spot.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes found tight end Travis Kelce for what seemed to be an 11-yard gain. Clearly, Kelce got the ball past the Kansas City 35, the line to gain for a first down.
CBS believed it. The graphic on the screen said it was 1st and 10, and the yellow line moved accordingly. However, the ball was spotted short of where the play ended. BY TWO YARDS.
It was second and one from the 34. With no one noticing the mistake. The fact that the Chiefs had shifted to no-huddle mode had something to do with that. Regardless, it’s a blunder that never should happen, especially not with a championship on the line.
Mahomes scrambled for a first down on the next play, so the mistake was inconsequential. But what if the Chiefs had failed on second down and then on third down and then on fourth down? It would have become one of the biggest controversies in league history. And it would have fueled speculation, distrust, and allegations that the game was fixed — which is exactly what Commissioner Roger Goodell feared in an age of legalized gambling.
That’s how we found out about it. Someone sent in an email suggesting that the Chiefs got a free first down from a short scramble on first down, without realizing that it was actually second down when it shouldn’t have been. It reconfirms that people are actively looking for evidence of foul play when watching NFL games.
Perception is reality. The NFL isn’t willing, however, to spend the money and/or to make the changes necessary to change perceptions, from hiring full-time officials to fully incorporating technology into officiating to embracing transparency and more.
They’re apparently willing to just tolerate the status quo, since that’s a lot cheaper. The smarter move would be to reinvest some of that gambling revenue into buttoning up the various flaws that will set the stage for a major scandal that will significantly undermine the integrity of and public confidence in the sport of professional football.
Covering the first major NFL scandal of the post-legalized gambling era would be good for this specific business. The first major NFL scandal of the post-legalized gambling era, however, would be very bad for the league. Here’s hoping the NFL gets its act together before that first major NFL scandal of the post-legalized gambling era happens.
Live, the first play of the final drive of regulation in Super Bowl LVIII included a bad spot. A very bad spot. An egregiously bad spot. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes found tight end Travis Kelce for what seemed to be an 11-yard gain.
The Chiefs were the sixth most penalized team in the NFL during the regular season, tied with the Tennessee Titans, at 126 penalties, or about 7.4 per game. That's higher than the overall regular season average of 6.8. Another way to look at it: Officials called 95 penalties against Chiefs opponents.
Just like the year prior, the Kansas City Chiefs doused Andy Reid in royal purple after their 2024 overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas.
Rules vary by league about how to handle a muffed punt. In the NFL, a muffed punt recovered by the kicking team cannot be challenged by a coach for review because all turnovers are automatically reviewed.
Mahomes has a net worth of $70 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He earned $29.45 million for the 2022 NFL season, according to Spotrac. Mahomes is invested in the MLB team Kansas City Royals, and women's soccer team Kansas City Current, as well as a few sports wellness companies, among others.
The only other players with multiple Super Bowl MVPs are Joe Montana (3), Terry Bradshaw (2), Eli Manning (2), Bart Starr (2) and Patrick Mahomes (2). So Mahomes could join Brady and Montana as the only players to win the award at least three times.
Within his 7 NFL seasons, Mahomes managed to win 3 Super Bowls, 3 Super Bowl MVPS, 2 league MVPS, and is a 6 time Pro Bowl honoree. When comparing quarterbacks, football fanatics and reporters typically compare Mahomes with former football quarterback star, Tom Brady.
This season, the Kansas City Chiefs will take the field as two-time defending champions, but they are not the current favorites to win Super Bowl 59. That would be the San Francisco 49ers, currently sitting at +500 with the Chiefs at +650.
The Offensive Player of the Year, running back Christian McCaffrey, fumbled the football after a hit by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal. Defensive end George Karlaftis recovered the football for the Chiefs.
The Carolina Panthers were down six to the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50 when Cam Newton failed to recover a fumble that could have saved his team's championship hopes. The former Panthers quarterback reflected on that moment eight years later during Thursday's episode of the podcast 4th and 1.
Super Bowl champ Harrison Butker roasted by NFL rival in viral kitchen video. The Los Angeles Chargers roasted controversial Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker in a social media video that has gone viral.
Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242
Phone: +577037762465
Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor
Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis
Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
