The Chiefs emerged with a dominant 31-0 win over the Raiders on Sunday, but it came with another hefty dose of controversy.
During the Chiefs' blowout victory, Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby was blocked low by Chiefs tight end Noah Gray late in the first half. The hit sent the four-time Pro Bowler limping off the field, and Crosby was ultimately ruled out due to a left knee injury that isn't believed to be serious.
During a replay of the hit on Crosby, CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore claimed that Gray's block was completely legal.
"Yes [it is legal], because where the tight end started, he crosses the original line of where the snap had occurred, so he crosses past the center, he's moving away from where the ball was snapped, and he's also making that block within the tight end box," Steratore said on the broadcast.
CBS Sports' rules analyst Gene Steratore breaks down how this low block by Chiefs TE Noah Gray is legal. He nearly took out Maxx Crosby's legs on this play, seen here in slow motion.
— Mike Dixon (@MikeDixon_VST) October 19, 2025
🎥: CBS Sports #RaiderNation| #LVvsKC pic.twitter.com/AvS5O01kmf
Steratore's breakdown lines up with the NFL rulebook, which states that blocks below the waist are illegal and will result in a 15-yard penalty unless the contact occurs in the tight end box. The low block penalty has been called a total of five times so far this season.
Despite the clear rules, many NFL fans still thought Gray's low block was executed with ill intentions and that the play itself should simply be banned for the protection of defensive players.
This should not be legal https://t.co/atMHmhbzB0
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) October 20, 2025
Legal yes but dirty? Crosby now hurt https://t.co/Br9xGloKMc
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) October 19, 2025
I just wonder if this would be legal if the #Raiders done it. https://t.co/RiBGnzUVvq
— Tom Ybarra (@Tmraider) October 19, 2025
It’s legal, according to the law of the NFL
— Liz Mullen (@liz_mu11en) October 19, 2025
But it’s not very nice.
Maxx Crosby has been a huge problem for the Chargers. But he’s a talented player & hope he recovers asap. https://t.co/LyBoGg8UZk
Every play is legal when it comes to the chiefs https://t.co/CigOVHctZC
— A-Gonzalez (@A_M_G_95) October 20, 2025
I’d be willing to bet money if it happened to a different team it would be a penalty for a low block 10/10 times. https://t.co/5bqmigEPzu
— 🧁 Amber 🍟 (@Yahtzee27) October 20, 2025
Expect more officiating controversy surrounding the Chiefs to manifest itself when Patrick Mahomes and Co. take on the Commanders next week.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Chiefs’ Legal Hit That Injured Maxx Crosby Has NFL Fans Crying Foul Play.
