Coming into Sunday afternoon, most Kansas City Chiefs fans would have predicted the team would have run away with a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. After Cincy struggled against the New England Patriots in Week 1, they looked like a much easier opponent than they have been in years past.
Not so fast, however. The Bengals came out and gave the Chiefs everything they could have handled in yet another instant classic between these two rivals. The AFC rivals went back and forth all afternoon in what ended up being quite the second half, specifically.
From a big man touchdown to trash talk being backed up by the Bengals to the late drama, it was exactly what viewers wanted in one of these matchups.
Late in the afternoon came the game-altering moment. On fourth down, with the game on the line, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back and fired a pass down the field. It fell incomplete to second-year pro Rashee Rice, although that wouldn't be the end of it.
Immediately after the ball hit the ground, one referee threw a flag. The call was defensive pass interference on Bengals rookie safety Daijahn Anthony. The seventh-round pick arrived early on the play, clearly making contact with Rashee Rice before the ball arrived.
This was called DPI on fourth and 16 to give the #Chiefs a first down.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2024
Sure looks like the defender got there early. Thoughts?pic.twitter.com/UBIXgHs7Mi
After the penalty, Kansas City lined up for a Harrison Butker field goal from 51 yards out. Without a doubt, Butker knocked it through.
However, had the pass interference penalty not been called, the game would essentially have been over. Many fans would call that moment the defining play of the game, and unfortunately for Bengals fans, that moment was what defined the loss.
Let's just say Bengals fans were not OK after this one. And, let's be honest ... the Chiefs are often hated by the rest of the league's fans. It comes with being the best. There were many fans who thought the Chiefs got away with one here and took to social media to voice their frustrations.
Fans erupted on social media after the controversial pass interference penalty
No way that’s pass interference.
— Daniel Johnson (@DanielJohn898) September 15, 2024
DB has every right to make a play on the ball as the WR. Awful call from an awful refereeing crew. The NFL needs to do better, but of course, as always with the Chiefs, they protect what’s theirs. #CINvsKC
We're not going to take the time to address all of these, but this one has to be given some attention. No, the defensive back does not have every right to make contact with the wide receiver before the ball arrives. It's pretty plain and simple.
Check those refs Draft Kings accounts. Phantom pass interference call.
— Bill Bixby #RollTide (@TSmitty3000) September 15, 2024
Granted that was a pass interference but the refs won’t call that unless it’s the chiefs.
— JR (@jaceerose05) September 15, 2024
Hey, at least you admitted it.
that isn't pass interference.
— Something Witty (@CincyNomad) September 15, 2024
No way they just called that a pass interference against the Bengals
— Peter L (@p_Minnesota1) September 15, 2024
The Chiefs always get bailed out for wins
— IVIBE22 (@ivibe22) September 15, 2024
week in and week out the Chiefs get bailed out, that’s never PI
— SKKITO (@SKKITO7) September 15, 2024
The refs helped the chiefs out again they are not trying to hide it
— cliff iyadurai (@cliffabcd334) September 15, 2024
The @NFL is no longer even fun to watch unless you’re a chiefs fan. Honestly. And I’m not hating on the chiefs good for them but this officiating is so so so bad.
— Nameless Evermore (@TwoGs_Is_Me) September 15, 2024
It sounds like you're hating on the Chiefs, though.
The NFL wants the chiefs to Win SB rings every single year
— Raider Rowdy 🇸🇻 (@RaiderRowd10) September 15, 2024
They've become the new patriots
Of the NFL
This is BS 🤬😡😡🤬😡
That's high praise for Kansas City, to be quite honest.
NFL is rigged . Chiefs ?? Bs call
— no one (@Totalpackage56) September 15, 2024
Ah, yes. It's the classic "NFL is rigged/scripted" take.
In the end, the Chiefs won. That's all that matters. Although, we'll take the extra entertainment.
We sure will.