Conspiracy Theorists UNITE! Refs just refuse to call penalties on the Chiefs (3 Viewers)

[Scooby1974]

OL blatant false starts
Spaggs calling timeout instead of Reid, and no penalty?

Meanwhile,
Baltimore OL called for 187 penalties for not being close enough to the line.
Def called for a ridiculous roughing the passer call

It really looks sooooo obvious that the refs are still showing preference to KC.

 

[IHEARTFF]

The penalties are 6-5

 

[JohnnyU]

I was just getting over my hate for the Patriots.

 

[Courtjester]

But let’s be honest, the offensive linemen of KC are doing the same sets the Ravens are doing, but only one team is being called for it.

 

[need2know]

Been this way for years

 

[JohnnyU]

I did see at least 3 holdings on their OL that wasn’t called.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I mean, Chiefs are the new Pats so.....

 

[rockaction]

Gonna be tough for y’all when they overturn the touchdown.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Gonna be tough for y’all when they overturn the touchdown.

he still was out, but there’s no denying the right tackle lined up very deep and false started so many plays

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Late hit OOB refs swallowed the whistles on a critical drive in the game.

This topic is silly.

 

[Cobbler1]

Is this where we talk about how impactful it is that one team got to line their tackles up a yard deeper and leave a split second earlier? How many points is that extra 4-5 feet of depth for the tackles worth?

 

[TLEF316]

The chiefs are an excellent football team....likely the best football team no matter what the officials do.

But it's really hard to say that nothing shady is going on when you watch the shenanigans they're getting away with at RT. You could (and should) call that guy for 15 false starts a game. And the refs just swallow their whistle on it over and over.

Even the least educated fan watching can see that he's leaving early nearly every passing play and that it gives him an advantage.

 

[BobbyLayne]

The chiefs are an excellent football team....likely the best football team no matter what the officials do.

But it's really hard to say that nothing shady is going on when you watch the shenanigans they're getting away with at RT. You could (and should) call that guy for 15 false starts a game. And the refs just swallow their whistle on it over and over.

Even the least educated fan watching can see that he's leaving early nearly every passing play and that it gives him an advantage.

Opening Night 2024

Opening Night 2023

2024 all night long

2023 all night long

 

[Stinkin Ref]

score more points

 

[LawFitz]

Mahomie isn't just the Chiefs' asset. NFL knows how to keep the bread buttered and that's to keep superstar QBs keepin on. Especially the superstar of superstars.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

OL blatant false starts
Spaggs calling timeout instead of Reid, and no penalty?

Meanwhile,
Baltimore OL called for 187 penalties for not being close enough to the line.
Def called for a ridiculous roughing the passer call

It really looks sooooo obvious that the refs are still showing preference to KC.

It’s ridiculous

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Gonna be tough for y’all when they overturn the touchdown.

he still was out, but there’s no denying the right tackle lined up very deep and false started so many plays

Just like last year. #74

 

[Bossman]

Gonna be tough for y’all when they overturn the touchdown.

he still was out, but there’s no denying the right tackle lined up very deep and false started so many plays

Yeah, this was obvious. Guy was up out of his stance while every other lineman still had a hand on the ground.
Credit to the broadcast crew for showing us in slow motion how much the refs favor KC since typically the crew is in cahoots and attempting to protect their product.

 

[Bossman]

OL blatant false starts
Spaggs calling timeout instead of Reid, and no penalty?

It's ok because he told the ref "he's sorry" and it seemed very sincere.

 

[Payne]

The no flag on Spags is the most blatant. Everyone just laughed that off??

 

[JohnnyU]

That Chiefs right tackle false starting on every passing play and the refs fixation with the Ravens OL, is very telling for sure.

 

[ChiefD]

Didn't the Chiefs left tackle get called for the same thing over and over on opening night last year?

 

[pinkstapler]

This is very likely just a happy coincidence for the NFL than an actual engineered outcome; but in an online media world driven by views, clicks, and comments/engagement the Refs making a few bad calls every game is a literal goldmine for them. Having it favor the team that's recently become the most "hated" in the league pushes the numbers even more. I've typically heard this argument made semi-jokingly about replacing baseball umpires with machines that can call balls and strikes, but it feels relevant here too: without the human element to not only keep errors in refereeing, but also the concept of "judgement calls", what will all the fans talk about? It feels like a serious case could be made it goes against their own self-interest to remove these errors and judgement calls from games when they seemingly have no negative effect on views/engagement. And again, if anything, they seem to increase those things for the respective leagues. Just interesting food for thought.

Not that my opinion matters much, but I didn't think anything last night was too egregious. If/when an asst. coach gets a penalty for attempting to call a time out a few weeks from now, I'll likely change my mind haha. I'm almost positive every single O-line coach is meeting with their squad today and tomorrow to go over alignments though, as it could not have been anymore clear that's an issue the NFL wants addressed this year. I think that's a positive too. Offenses have gotten so much benefit from rule changes and adjustments the past few years, it's nice to see an advantage being reigned in a bit. Should make it a bit easier on defenses to generate pressure and give QBs a few less ticks to get rid of the ball in the pocket.

 

[need2know]

Didn't the Chiefs left tackle get called for the same thing over and over on opening night last year?

I or 2 games out of the past 5 years doesnt count for much to me

 

[JohnnyU]

Offenses have gotten so much benefit from rule changes and adjustments the past few years, it's nice to see an advantage being reigned in a bit. Should make it a bit easier on defenses to generate pressure and give QBs a few less ticks to get rid of the ball in the pocket.

Then why didn't they call false starts on the Chiefs right tackle? He got a head start on pass blocking on every passing play.

 

[Scooby1974]

The penalties are 6-5

It's the NON-calls

 

[Scooby1974]

But let’s be honest, the offensive linemen of KC are doing the same sets the Ravens are doing, but only one team is being called for it.

Exactly my point

 

[Scooby1974]

Late hit OOB refs swallowed the whistles on a critical drive in the game.

This topic is silly.

Refs did swallow...which surprised me.

 

[ChiefD]

I thought the refereeing last night was a joke. Just what the NFL fans wanted to see: you wait 6 months for football and there are like 5 flags in the first 10 plays.

Ridiculous.

 

[Scooby1974]

The no flag on Spags is the most blatant. Everyone just laughed that off??

Hiding it in plain sight, it seems.

 

[efactor]

The no flag on Spags is the most blatant. Everyone just laughed that off??

Hiding it in plain sight, it seems.

At least I give the NFL credit for being transparent. They aren’t even trying to hide it anymore.

 

[-OZ-]

Is this where we talk about how impactful it is that one team got to line their tackles up a yard deeper and leave a split second earlier? How many points is that extra 4-5 feet of depth for the tackles worth?

This might also be where we talk about how the appearance of favoritism is bad enough.
I’d have hoped a multi billion dollar industry with huge media attention would understand this basic concept.
Not that people will stop watching today but when players get suspended for gambling on things they have no impact, a little consistency would be nice.

 

[Max Power]

I think the refs detract from the game. I didn't have a rooting interest in either team winning last night, but it is annoying to see blatant false starts not being called and then watch a play get called back because a lineman's helmet was too far off the line.

After every play a viewer waits 2 seconds to see if a subjective flag was thrown.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

That Chiefs right tackle false starting on every passing play and the refs fixation with the Ravens OL, is very telling for sure.

I don't know if it was or wasn't, but this is probably like the Lane Johnson thing everyone was complaining about last year - in real time it looks like he's constantly false starting but the way it's officiated this isn't actually a false start. I forget the exact specifics but essentially he's allowed to kick back his foot before the snap. It looks like he's moving before the snap (because he is) but that specific movement is allowed.

 

[Scooby1974]

Late hit OOB refs swallowed the whistles on a critical drive in the game.

This topic is silly.

score more points

lol

You keep loading the truck with melons, and every 15 minutes or so, I'll drop the back tailgate and let half of them roll out onto the ground. You'll miss your "bonus", and we'll tell you to work harder and point at the half full truck.

Call the game even, that's all. Shoot, even the butt kissing play by play guys had to admit it on National TV last night. Last I checked, having 1st downs and big plays called back for nonsense, keeps teams from moving the ball downfield and into scoring position. LOL

 

[pinkstapler]

Offenses have gotten so much benefit from rule changes and adjustments the past few years, it's nice to see an advantage being reigned in a bit. Should make it a bit easier on defenses to generate pressure and give QBs a few less ticks to get rid of the ball in the pocket.

Then why didn't they call false starts on the Chiefs right tackle? He got a head start on pass blocking on every passing play.

No clue, but honestly I feel like it's been like that for years and isn't just a Chiefs thing. Kyle Long made a career of false starting nearly every single play and just never getting called for it. I think Lane Johnson was a serial offender as well. Not saying it's right, but it's different then the alignment issue as the alignment they have a few seconds to look at and judge before the snap. The early jumps are a split second call. Again, not excusing it, but they are two different things.

The psychologist in me just sees the trends in the fact people don't like the Chiefs, there's a belief the refs favor the Chiefs (leaving out whether it's true or not, what is not really debatable is people do think that), so it's proven science that much, much more time and attention is going to be put on analyzing and critiquing the refs calls in Chiefs game with a focus on calls that favor them. So we are going to see more there, and also it is going to be reported and publicized there, more than probably any other team/matchup in the league. This isn't a counter argument saying that any of those popular beliefs aren't true; just we should acknowledge the fact it 100% makes complete sense that it will be analyzed/seen/talked about more than any other team and create a bit of a self-fulfilling prophesy effect with the Chiefs. Almost similar to Taylor Swift in the stands. It feels unrelenting because everywhere you look people are talking about it. They could show her only once, but if every tv show and social media outlet is reporting on/posting about it 100 times a day, it's going to seem to be a lot worse than it might actually be.

 

[Scooby1974]

That Chiefs right tackle false starting on every passing play and the refs fixation with the Ravens OL, is very telling for sure.

I don't know if it was or wasn't, but this is probably like the Lane Johnson thing everyone was complaining about last year - in real time it looks like he's constantly false starting but the way it's officiated this isn't actually a false start. I forget the exact specifics but essentially he's allowed to kick back his foot before the snap. It looks like he's moving before the snap (because he is) but that specific movement is allowed.

I don't know why every OL wouldn't be doing this if it were legal, but I do remember some nonsense about Lame Johnson last year too.

 

[Scooby1974]

I think the refs detract from the game. I didn't have a rooting interest in either team winning last night, but it is annoying to see blatant false starts not being called and then watch a play get called back because a lineman's helmet was too far off the line.

After every play a viewer waits 2 seconds to see if a subjective flag was thrown.

All of this. Either call it the same, or let them play by the same rules. It was very much like they were trying to make a point with Stanley (which is fine, he should have adjusted).

 

[Scooby1974]

Offenses have gotten so much benefit from rule changes and adjustments the past few years, it's nice to see an advantage being reigned in a bit. Should make it a bit easier on defenses to generate pressure and give QBs a few less ticks to get rid of the ball in the pocket.

Then why didn't they call false starts on the Chiefs right tackle? He got a head start on pass blocking on every passing play.

No clue, but honestly I feel like it's been like that for years and isn't just a Chiefs thing. Kyle Long made a career of false starting nearly every single play and just never getting called for it. I think Lane Johnson was a serial offender as well. Not saying it's right, but it's different then the alignment issue as the alignment they have a few seconds to look at and judge before the snap. The early jumps are a split second call. Again, not excusing it, but they are two different things.

The psychologist in me just sees the trends in the fact people don't like the Chiefs, there's a belief the refs favor the Chiefs (leaving out whether it's true or not, what is not really debatable is people do think that), so it's proven science that much, much more time and attention is going to be put on analyzing and critiquing the refs calls in Chiefs game with a focus on calls that favor them. So we are going to see more there, and also it is going to be reported and publicized there, more than probably any other team/matchup in the league. This isn't a counter argument saying that any of those popular beliefs aren't true; just we should acknowledge the fact it 100% makes complete sense that it will be analyzed/seen/talked about more than any other team and create a bit of a self-fulfilling prophesy effect with the Chiefs. Almost similar to Taylor Swift in the stands. It feels unrelenting because everywhere you look people are talking about it. They could show her once, but if every tv show and social media outlet is reporting on/posting about it 100 times a day, it's going to seem to be a lot worse than it might actually be.

I feel seen!

 

[The Duff Man]

Offenses have gotten so much benefit from rule changes and adjustments the past few years, it's nice to see an advantage being reigned in a bit. Should make it a bit easier on defenses to generate pressure and give QBs a few less ticks to get rid of the ball in the pocket.

Then why didn't they call false starts on the Chiefs right tackle? He got a head start on pass blocking on every passing play.

The psychologist in me just sees the trends in the fact people don't like the Chiefs, there's a belief the refs favor the Chiefs (leaving out whether it's true or not, what is not really debatable is people do think that), so it's proven science that much, much more time and attention is going to be put on analyzing and critiquing the refs calls in Chiefs game with a focus on calls that favor them.

I agree with this.

Isn’t there also a psychological bias principle at play with referees when they expect a team to win?

 

[Cobbler1]

I think the refs detract from the game. I didn't have a rooting interest in either team winning last night, but it is annoying to see blatant false starts not being called and then watch a play get called back because a lineman's helmet was too far off the line.

After every play a viewer waits 2 seconds to see if a subjective flag was thrown.

All of this. Either call it the same, or let them play by the same rules. It was very much like they were trying to make a point with Stanley (which is fine, he should have adjusted).

Massive problem that the Ravens line did have to adjust after the first drive (I think only 1 penalty for that the rest of the way) while the Chiefs did not. The extra couple feet the Chiefs tackles were allowed is HUGE in a 5 yard race to the qb where the first couple yards dictate leverage.

 

[-OZ-]

Isn’t there also a psychological bias principle at play with referees when they expect a team to win?

Probably, but they need to account for that bias.
It’s like other things we don’t need to get into here, humans have biases. The best of us try to overcome those biases when they impact others unfairly.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Didn't the Chiefs left tackle get called for the same thing over and over on opening night last year?

Nope

Once late in the 4th quarter, after he had false started or lined up in the backfield ~ 40 times.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I think the refs detract from the game. I didn't have a rooting interest in either team winning last night, but it is annoying to see blatant false starts not being called and then watch a play get called back because a lineman's helmet was too far off the line.

After every play a viewer waits 2 seconds to see if a subjective flag was thrown.

All of this. Either call it the same, or let them play by the same rules. It was very much like they were trying to make a point with Stanley (which is fine, he should have adjusted).

Massive problem that the Ravens line did have to adjust after the first drive (I think only 1 penalty for that the rest of the way) while the Chiefs did not. The extra couple feet the Chiefs tackles were allowed is HUGE in a 5 yard race to the qb where the first couple yards dictate leverage.

Been going on for years. Maybe they’ll change the way they call it for the Chiefs this year.

Guess the other 31 teams just have to deal with it.

You come at the King, you better not think you’re getting the same calls they do.

 

[ShamrockPride]

2024 off to a swell start I see. Picking up right where we left off.

 

[Rubi]

Believe it or not I didn't have a horse in the race last night.
Just sat back hoping for a great game and it was.
No rooting interest at all,here's some observations:

Ravens should have been called for a hit out of bounds on Mahomes...missed it
K.C should have been flagged for Spags calling time out,didn't know that until it was explained...missed it
K.C offensive tackle,who was the most penalized player last season,should have been called for illegal motion a few times...missed 'em
All that aside it was an entertaining game and a great start to the season.

 

[pinkstapler]

Offenses have gotten so much benefit from rule changes and adjustments the past few years, it's nice to see an advantage being reigned in a bit. Should make it a bit easier on defenses to generate pressure and give QBs a few less ticks to get rid of the ball in the pocket.

Then why didn't they call false starts on the Chiefs right tackle? He got a head start on pass blocking on every passing play.

The psychologist in me just sees the trends in the fact people don't like the Chiefs, there's a belief the refs favor the Chiefs (leaving out whether it's true or not, what is not really debatable is people do think that), so it's proven science that much, much more time and attention is going to be put on analyzing and critiquing the refs calls in Chiefs game with a focus on calls that favor them.

I agree with this.

Isn’t there also a psychological bias principle at play with referees when they expect a team to win?

For sure. Jordan-effect is a thing. And not the "oh they just like Jordan more", because in reality I don't think they liked him anymore than others; and if anything they probably found him more annoying. A lot of factors in play to say it's just one thing, but one I feel gets overlooked is that he (and Phil Jackson) were constantly complaining and arguing with the refs and they were good at toeing the line of arguing vs. disrespecting. Similar to Tom Brady. It will mentally effect a ref to the point they begin to question the validity of the claims and could certainly effect their calling in a positive way towards the complaining player.

Another definite effect would be like you pointed out, where referees will have an inherent bias that certain players are just better; better could equate to committing less penalties and/or when plays don't go their way it must have been caused by outside forces rather than an internal mistake.

I think it's hard to argue against a lot of people's beliefs with this; mainly because they are so subjective anyhow and rarely do we have enough hard evidence to prove or disprove the notions. But it's good to just acknowledge the existence of the underlying effects for our own sanity. I'm sure if you were to poll 100 fans of each NFL team, every single fanbase would have a large portion of those fans who argue that refs/commentators are "biased" against their team more so than any other team. And despite not being able to prove/disprove them each on an individual basis, we can look at the entire picture and definitively say it's impossible that they are ALL correct. Which points to the conclusion it's most likely none of them are correct.

 

[Stoneworker]

This video showing side-by-side views of both teams' OT's is pretty good "hard evidence" that the "lining up to the center's belt line" situation was refereed unequally.

The video shows amazing timing by LT Juwan Taylor to avoid a false start, but then the author makes a cogent argument that this timing is enabled by egregiously lining up in the backfield to enable better vision of the center snap.

Video: The NFL is already helping the Chiefs CHEAT

Disclaimer: Video author is a Broncos fanatic.

 

[DeaLerZ]

OL blatant false starts
Spaggs calling timeout instead of Reid, and no penalty?

Meanwhile,
Baltimore OL called for 187 penalties for not being close enough to the line.
Def called for a ridiculous roughing the passer call

It really looks sooooo obvious that the refs are still showing preference to KC.

The worst is the Superbowls they have won...

They were the 6th most penalized team last year, and had the most offensive holding calls last year during the regular season, but somehow in the playoffs the "Chiefs consistently had fewer penalties than their opponents throughout the playoffs.", and didn't have any offensive holding calls in the superbowl. They have never once had a single holding call against them in the 3 straight superbowls.

I am a panthers fan btw...

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

That Chiefs right tackle false starting on every passing play and the refs fixation with the Ravens OL, is very telling for sure.

I don't know if it was or wasn't, but this is probably like the Lane Johnson thing everyone was complaining about last year - in real time it looks like he's constantly false starting but the way it's officiated this isn't actually a false start. I forget the exact specifics but essentially he's allowed to kick back his foot before the snap. It looks like he's moving before the snap (because he is) but that specific movement is allowed.

I don't know why every OL wouldn't be doing this if it were legal, but I do remember some nonsense about Lame Johnson last year too.

Because it’s really hard to time it right and not actually just commit a false start.