Creed Humphrey Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs hurt by baffling flag late against Eagles

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated 11/20/23

The Kansas City Chiefs were seemingly on the wrong end of a flag thrown Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs lost 21-17 in their Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

The Chiefs were facing 3rd-and-7 from their own 28 with just under 6 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. At first glance, the Eagles appeared to commit a false start before the ball was snapped. However, the referees signaled that it was Chiefs center Creed Humphrey who was deemed to have initiated the false start.

Somehow this was called a false start on the #Chiefs….

Insanity. What the hell is this from the refs.

(NFL) pic.twitter.com/xpTjN4mo4u

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 21, 2023

The referees penalized Humphrey for some pre-snap movement, which led to Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham jumping early. But as announcer Troy Aikman points out, Humphrey’s movement did not appear to be “quick and abrupt” enough to be worth throwing a flag over.

The Chiefs were forced to move back five yards and were unable to convert a first down deep in their own territory. Neither side was able to score the rest of the way, resulting in a 4-point Eagles win.

The Chiefs may have arguably been on the wrong end of a late-game flag. However, their problems lie way beyond just one controversial call.

The Chiefs’ offense was unable to muster up a single point in the entire second half. It’s the third straight game wherein Kansas City was held scoreless in the final two quarters.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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