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Officials Facing Backlash Over Controversial Josh Allen Play

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jan 26, 2025 9:30 PM ET

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills look to earn their spot in the Super Bowl, but Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs stood in their way in the AFC Championship Game.

However, early in the fourth quarter, there was a slight hiccup as a call did not go Buffalo's way.

With just over 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and up 22-21, Allen had the Bills at the Chiefs' 41-yard line facing a 4th-and-1 situation. They ran a quarterback sneak and ruled Allen short of the first down marker.

A new angle shows that Allen appears to have picked up enough to secure the first down. Still, even after reviewing, the officials still elected to give Kansas City the ball.

Mahomes led the Chiefs right down the field on the ensuing possession, gaining a 29-22 edge.

WOW: THE REFS RULES JOSH ALLEN SHORT ON THIS PLAY.

Turnover on downs, and #Chiefs ball.

The broadcast disagrees with the refs, saying that Buffalo converted it.

pic.twitter.com/77NrcwZjt5
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 27, 2025

NFL fans certainly did not agree with the officials ruling of the turnover on downs, taking to social media to leave their thoughts.

"Horrible call and after a review. I don’t get it smh," one fan said.

"Fix is in! Don’t even know why yall watching the game," added another.

"Refs siding with Chiefs as usual…" wrote a third.

"Clear first down and the refs come in for the Kansas City cheats once again! Absolutely disgrace to football," commented a fourth.

"truly such a pathetic group of people the refs are and the chiefs just scored, these striped morons might’ve just cost the bills the game," posted a fifth.

"He clearly got that on the 2nd push we all know they want the Chiefs tho," added a sixth.

Allen and the Bills are targeting their first trip to the Super Bowl since losing four straight in the 1990s. The Chiefs, on the other hand, are eyeing the NFL's first three-peat.

The winner of the AFC championship will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

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

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