Ball don’t lie: 3 worst calls from Week 13 in the NFL

2. Andy Reid lets officials off the hook

Tyreek Hill had two touchdowns taken off the board on Sunday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, yet the Chiefs still found a way to narrowly win at Arrowhead. Hill managed to pull in a deep pass from Patrick Mahomes for a touchdown, yet on first view the ball was loose in his grasp, so the officiating crew called the play incomplete. Simple enough, right?

Not so fast. Upon review, the ball never hit the ground, laying just barely on Hill’s shoulder as he rolled around the turf in the end zone. The Chiefs would punt on the next play, and Andy Reid never gave a possible challenge a serious thought.

Look, Reid should’ve challenged the play. We can all agree on that, but it doesn’t completely absolve officials of blame. First off, refs have been taught to call plays like this a touchdown unless they’re absolutely certain the receiver failed to maintain control to the turf. Where is the back-judge, in this case? He who should have the clearest view of all was either nowhere to be found, or failed to make the appropriate judgement. Had the play been called a touchdown on the field of play, it would’ve been automatically reviewed by the replay booth. Vic Fangio wouldn’t have been forced into a challenge situation unless the officials had doubled down on a touchdown call, which in this case would’ve been the right ruling! Would’ve, should’ve, could’ve, wrong call.