Ex-Head of NFL Officiating Says Refs Blew Controversial Josh Allen Fourth Down

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday came down to a handful of plays, but perhaps none were more important than a crucial turnover-on-downs early in the fourth quarter.

On a third-and-3 from Kansas City’s 43-yard line, Bills quarterback Josh Allen hit tight end Dalton Kincaid for a 2-yard gain that many believed should have been a first down.

Then on the very next play, Allen kept it himself and pushed forward behind his left guard as he neared the line to gain.

However, officials ruled that Allen was short of the first-down marker, and after a review, the referees determined there wasn’t sufficient evidence to overturn the call, awarding the ball to the Chiefs, who scored the go-ahead touchdown on their next drive.

CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said during the broadcast that he believed Allen had, in fact, picked up the first down despite what the officials called on the field. Former NFL senior VP of officiating Dean Blandino agrees, and he recently admitted to TMZ that the officials blew it in one of the biggest moments of the season.

“The spot on the fourth down was close,” Blandino said. “When I watched it live, I thought it was a first down. I really did. I thought he made the big line. It was close. You know, when you watch the two officials, one official was coming in from the top. Looked like that official had the spot at the line to gain.