Conspiracy theories fly after Jets loss to Chiefs

There are a lot of conspiracy theories that float around the NFL. From players fixing the score to refs changing outcomes to the famous one from former running back Arian Forster who said the NFL is actually scripted. Let me start by saying, I don’t believe any of them. I think players make mistakes. I […]

Mike Antoniou

Oct 3, 2023 12:30 PM EDT

After the Chiefs get a first down and ice the game, Jets head coach Robert Saleh argues a previous defensive holding call late in the game. The New York Jets host the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 1, 2023.

Let me start by saying, I don’t believe any of them. I think players make mistakes. I think refs miss calls. I think the idea that the NFL is scripted is laughable (so much so that the NFL even made an entire ad campaign mocking the premise).

But every once in a while, something happens that I can’t find a logical explanation to. My rational brain knows that there isn’t some giant conspiracy against a particular team, but then you look at a bunch of evidence and you can’t explain it.

I believe that for the most part, NFL refs are good at their job. Some might miss a call here and there. Some might be quick to throw a flag while others get caught watching the game like a spectator. Sometimes a borderline call goes your team’s way and sometimes it goes the other way.

But so many examples from the Chiefs/Jets game on Sunday Night were simply too hard to ignore.

Early in the game Isiah Pacheco ripped off a 48-yard touchdown run that put the Chiefs up 10-0 in the first quarter. The Chiefs twitter account was even pointing out the great block from guard Trey Smith (and it was a great pull). But look at what Chiefs OT Donovan Smith (#79) does to Jermaine Sherwood (#44), the LB on that side of the field.

Need a big run? Hop on I-65 ? pic.twitter.com/C6rbVdku5I
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 3, 2023

I mean, that’s a hold and then a trip. He practically tackles him. But okay, I get it. It’s a missed call. Dust yourself off and move on.

Later in the game, the Jets had the Chiefs in a third and 23 at the Chiefs 40 yard line and Mahomes scrambled for 35 yards and the first time. Great play that was helped by an obvious hold. Watch what Donovan Smith does to Jermaine Johnson on this play.

On the Pat Mahomes 3rd and 22 run: Blatant holding on the #Chiefs left tackle

That’s a bad one for the refs to miss. Ultimately changed the whole trajectory of the game. Can’t have the refs doing that.pic.twitter.com/aV6uEBvxL5
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 2, 2023

It’s clearly a hold in the wide-open field on one of the biggest plays of the game. How does that one get missed?

And then we come to one of the biggest ones. The phantom hold call on Sauce Gardner that all but sealed the game for Kansas City. Again, missed calls happen. But it is the way this one happened that is troubling. The ref doesn’t throw the flag until after he sees the interception. Take a look.

Crazy how the refs didn't throw his flag until he saw the Jets intercept the ball. Weak holding call. #Rigged #KCvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/8rKjitkP1n
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 2, 2023

The call itself was questionable at best and made Sauce Gardner irate on social media. But the fact that the ref only threw the flag after the interception is concerning.

Again, I’m not saying there is some big conspiracy to give the Chiefs the win. I’m saying there are some questions here that need to be answered, or at least, some performance reviews that need to become very harsh.