Jawaan Taylor's penalties are the most in the NFL in nearly a decade

The Kansas City Chiefs looked pretty darn good in their Wild Card playoff win against the Miami Dolphins. In those freezing temperatures (an understatement, I know), the Chiefs pretty much shut down the Dolphins.

Every part of the team looked great. Even the much-maligned offense finally started to heat up. Their only blemish was their red zone efficiency. It was a big blemish, though, especially on one particular play that negated a touchdown.

Despite their Wild Card win, the Kansas City Chiefs still have a problem with their right tackle.

You know the one. Rashee Rice caught an 8-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes and made his way into the end zone. But then it was called back. Why? Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor was called for an illegal block in the back. It was frustrating for more reasons than one. But it also marked Taylor's league-leading 17th penalty on the season.

Now it's one thing to be the league leader in penalties in a season. That is pretty bad. But according to the broadcast, Taylor is also the most penalized player since 2015.

In fairness to Taylor on this l, Doug Farrar at Yahoo! Sports argued that the refs were wrong and the block was not illegal. I'm sure that if the Chiefs had lost the game, this would be an even more hotly debated argument.

Nonetheless, the Chiefs overcame the penalty and at least scored a field goal on the drive. In the grand scheme of things, it was more frustrating than anything, but for Taylor, it was another error in a season filled with them.

On the season, Taylor has another two penalties that were declined for a total of 21 flags in 2023. His total penalty count of 19 is 7 more than the next player on the list: Jets tackle Mekhi Beckton of the New York Jets. The total penalty yards of 130 is 8 more than Seattle corner Tariq Woolen. Taylor's penalties make up 21 percent of the Chiefs' penalties on the season.

The NFL record for most penalties in a season is 21 accepted penalties (with 24 total flags thrown) for former Minnesota Vikings-turned-New Orleans Saints defensive back Brandon Browner.

Honestly, I blame this all on Cris Collinsworth. If you remember, way back in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, Collinsworth would not stop harping on Taylor for making what he perceived to be one false start after another. From that night on, it seemed like the NFL ordered the referees to pick on Taylor more than anyone else.

Let's just hope that next week, Taylor doesn't take away anymore touchdowns. I have a feeling that the Chiefs next opponent (either the Buffalo Bills or Houston Texans) won't be as forgiving as the Dolphins.