Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Kadarius Toney blows huge Chiefs touchdown by lining up offsides

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 12/10/23

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Kadarius Toney blew a big opportunity for his Kansas City Chiefs.

Toney was called for being lined up offsides late in his Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Sunday in Week 14.

The Chiefs had a 2nd-and-10 near midfield down by a field goal with 1:12 left in the game. Patrick Mahomes completed a pass to Travis Kelce, who ran for about 10 yards before throwing a lateral to Toney, who raced in for what appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown.

Unfortunately, a penalty flag had been thrown prior to the pass due to Toney being lined up offsides, which negated the touchdown.

Kadarius Toney negates one of the wildest plays you’ll ever see by lining up offsides pic.twitter.com/2GTNJdLryS

— Covers (@Covers) December 11, 2023

The Chiefs were then pushed back five yards into a 2nd-and-15 situation. Mahomes threw three straight incompletions, which turned the ball over to the Bills — effectively ending the game.

Officials don’t often call offsides on wide receivers, but CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore defended the call. Steratore contended that Toney was so offsides that it was egregious.

When officiating the line of scrimmage, general philosophy is not to be overly technical and split hairs over very minor infractions (such as a receiver's hand slightly breaking the LOS). However, when an infraction is so egregious and obvious, a flag has to be thrown.

Kadarius…

— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) December 11, 2023