{"id":19960,"date":"2025-01-28T03:23:24","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T03:23:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=19960"},"modified":"2025-01-28T03:23:24","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T03:23:24","slug":"how-nfl-refs-got-off-scot-free-after-controversial-calls-that-benefited-chiefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=19960","title":{"rendered":"How NFL refs got off scot-free after controversial calls that benefited Chiefs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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While there\u2019s little, if anything, referee Clete Blakeman could\u2019ve said after Sunday\u2019s AFC Championship game to calm\u00a0the sea of outrage engulfing NFL officials<\/a>, it would\u2019ve been nice to hear him at least try to explain the controversial calls that went the Chiefs\u2019 way amid concern about favoritism toward Kansas City.<\/p>\n

For a referee to be made available after a game, a pool report has to be requested by a member of the press in attendance. That did not happen during the Chiefs\u2019 32-29 home win over the Bills,\u00a0according to Pro Football Talk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Therefore, Blakeman was able to fly off into the Kansas City night without facing the music.<\/p>\n

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Referee Clete Blakeman.Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\"Chiefs4<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (r.) talks to referee Clete Blakeman (34) before the AFC Championship game on Jan. 26, 2025.Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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So he did not have to answer for\u00a0the controversial turnover-on-downs call<\/a>\u00a0against the Bills when it appeared Josh Allen may have picked up a first down on a fourth-and-1 early in the fourth quarter while leading 22-21, a decision that was upheld upon review.<\/p>\n

The Chiefs scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to take a 29-22 lead.<\/p>\n

Nor did Blakeman have to answer for\u00a0awarding Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy a catch<\/a>\u00a0late in the first half on a 50-50 ball that looked like it hit the ground.<\/p>\n

NFL fans were already fuming after the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes were the beneficiaries of questionable calls during their win over the Texans in the divisional round.<\/p>\n

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