NFL admits blown call on Kansas City Chiefs field goal attempt
By Josh Sanchez
Pittsburgh Steelers fans watched their dreams of an improbably playoff berth come to a screeching halt on Sunday afternoon, when the Kansas City Chiefs missed a field goal at the end of regulation that allowed the San Diego Chargers to go on and win in overtime.
Unfortunately, the NFL screwed up on the play with officials missing a new rule that would have allowed the Chiefs to kick a shorter attempt for the win.
“With 0:08 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers, Kansas City faced a fourth-and-12 from the San Diego 23. The Chiefs attempted a 41-yard field that was no good,” the league said in a statement.
“On the play, San Diego lined up with seven men on one side of the snapper. This should have been penalized as an illegal formation by the defense.
“Rule 9, Section 1, Article 3 (b) (1) of the NFL Rule Book (page 51) states that ‘No more than six Team B players may be on the line of scrimmage on either side of the snapper at the snap.’ The rule was adopted this year as a player safety measure.
“The penalty for illegal formation by the defense is a loss of five yards. This rule is not subject to instant replay review. Had the penalty been assessed, it would have resulted in a fourth-and-7 from the San Diego 18 with 0:04 remaining, enabling the Chiefs to attempt a 36-yard field goal.”
While it is an unfortunate way for the game to end and likely one that will leave Steelers fans unhappy, you can’t be too upset when your team starts off 0-4 and needs to rely heavily on other teams to make the playoffs.