NFL Referee Brad Allen and his crew absolutely botched their play calling at the end of last night’s showdown in Green Bay. The result? We may never know who really won.
Brad Allen’s Biggest Fail
The biggest mistake of the evening: the blatant pass interference call on Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine. Valentine absolutely interfered with receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s ability to catch the ball and the Chiefs should have had the ball inside the 10-yard line. This would have given Kansas City a first-and-goal scenario with a good chance to force an overtime.
How was this not called pass interference?? #KCvsGB pic.twitter.com/DtvCyqhkjV
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 4, 2023
Instead, the Packers took the 27-19 win. But this was not the only missed call of the evening.
Brad Allen’s Miss on Kelce
Travis Kelce was also robbed of a two hand push call by Packers safety Jonathan Owens on the game ending Hail Mary pass thrown by Patrick Mahomes. It is true that referee’s allow more contact on throws like that, but this one was blatantly obvious. I think we can all agree that if this were a regular play, this would have been called. But that would most definitely lead to more Hail Mary passes thrown in the long run, so we can let this one go.
Pool report with referee Brad Allen on controversial late decisions: pic.twitter.com/mBhwJiRL0H
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 4, 2023
Mistaking NFL Rules
Allen was not the only official in the crew to screw up big time. Down judge Sarah Thomas also misunderstood the NFL rules when she stopped the clock and gave the Chiefs 19 seconds to run with at the end of the game.
How was this not called pass interference?? #KCvsGB pic.twitter.com/DtvCyqhkjV
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 4, 2023
This play occurred when the defender stopped Valdes-Scantling and forced him backwards while moving him out of bounds. She read it as Valdes-Scantling moving forward, which he clearly was not. If she made the correct call here the clock would have been running with 19 seconds remaining and the Chiefs would have had to rush to the line and spike the ball.
Follow me on X (formerly known as Twitter) @kyliemrau, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. You can also reach out to me via email at kyliemrau@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!