The Kansas City Chiefs saw their already slim playoff odds grow even more narrow with Sunday night’s loss to the Houston Texans, and one non-call made the defeat even more bitter.
The Chiefs had a chance to make a statement in the first quarter of the 20-10 loss with what they thought was a free play. Texans defensive lineman Mario Edwards appeared to cross the neutral zone before the Chiefs snapped the ball, leading quarterback Patrick Mahomes to look deep on what he thought would be a free chance to test the Texans.
But the play was not flagged, and the Texans sacked Mahomes on the play to force a long third down. After the game, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made it known that he disagreed with the call.
Andy Reid Expresses Disagreement
Asked by reporters about the non-call, Reid said he thought it was obvious that the Texans had jumped into the neutral zone.
âYeah, first of all, I thought it was offsides,” Reid said, via SI.com. “I mean, I think everybody did at that time. But it wasn’t called.â
Mahomes appeared to disagree as well, holding his arm in the air and looking for a flag after the sack. The Chiefs were not able to convert the 3rd-and-17 on the ensuing play and ended up punting the ball back to the Texans.
Reid said the entire play would have unfolded differently if officials had seen and flagged the neutral zone infraction by the Texans.
âNormally, Patrick, when he knows it’s offsides,â Reid said. âHe hangs onto it, tries to shoot it down the field as far as he can get that thing to go to a receiver. But he got a little bit of pressure there late.â
Andy Reid Disagreed With Another Call
There were more controversial calls on the ensuing Texans possession, which they ended up taking 90 yards for the game’s first touchdown. The drive was extended by a controversial pass interference call on Chiefs defensive back Nohl Williams, and Reid made it clear that he disagreed.
The Chiefs coach was animated in his disapproval, telling reporters afterward that he didn’t need to add any more about it.
âI think my reaction to it probability said it all,â Reid told reporters on Monday, referring to his body language on the sidelines. âWe’ll just leave it at that. You can go back and look at the tape.â
Reid also shared some blame for the loss, saying he was wrong to send the offense back onto the field for a fouth-down attempt in their own territory in the fourth quarter. The Texans stopped the Chiefs on the play and drove for the go-ahead touchdown.
âI put the guys offensively in a tough position with the fourth downs. I tried to stay aggressive with it (and) I take full responsibility for that,â Reid told reporters after the game. âI thought we could get it, that was the decision. I was confident we could do that.”
The loss slashed the Chiefs’ playoff odds, forcing them to win out in their final four games for a shot at the postseason.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Andy Reid Blasts Officials for Controversial Calls in Chiefs-Texans appeared first on Heavy Sports.