With 1:42 left in the first half of the Chiefs’ 22-17 divisional round win over the Browns, Browns receiver Rashard Higgins fumbled the ball into the end zone after catching a deep pass from Baker Mayfield. Helping to cause the fumble was Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen, who clearly led with his helmet on the play.
The second Sorensen makes — obviously illegal — helmet to helmet contact, Higgins completely loses control over the ball. Officiating shouldn't be altering the outcome of games and seasons but it does every single week. pic.twitter.com/Tz1U3PK68k
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 17, 2021
The ruling on the field was a touchback for the Chiefs, and since the no-call for lowering the head to initiate contact isn’t reviewable, the right result didn’t happen. The right result would have been for the Browns to have the ball with first-and-goal from the Kansas City one-yard line. Given the final score, this non-call could have cost the Browns a trip to the AFC Championship game.
We’re thinking that the league may have sent a memo to Shawn Hochuli’s crew after Clay Martin’s crew blew it in the early game. With 12:45 left in the first quarter of the Saints-Buccaneers divisional round game, Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead was flagged for lowering the head to initiate contact on a hit to Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders that was far less conclusive.
So this one the playoff refs to call? pic.twitter.com/SfsdSyLLgC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 17, 2021
One notable Browns fan was unimpressed by the disparity.
But they didn’t call that in our game though!!!!! 😤😤😤😤😤
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 17, 2021
NBC rules analyst and former official Terry McAulay explained the problems with the rule that has led to so much inconsistency.
While there has been some improvement, due to it's inherent difficulty and the likelihood of a plethora of incorrect calls, NFL Officiating has not placed a high priority on making the call on the field. This play is evidence of that.
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) January 17, 2021
The next step needs to be significantly improving the on-field accountability in making use of the helmet calls, which, of course, would require accepting the occasional incorrect call. I'm not sure that type of patience exists.
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) January 17, 2021
Given the stakes involved, perhaps the league should develop some patience.
