We’re nearing halftime of Super Bowl LV, and the Chiefs can’t seem to get out of their own way… and even when they do, the officials appear to step right in with a spike strip.
With 6:05 left in the second quarter, Tom Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for Gronk’s second receiving touchdown of the day.
THEY DID IT AGAIN. BRADY TO GRONK. LEGENDARY. #GoBucs
📺: #SBLV on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/HJtQf5igun pic.twitter.com/eOSHmkH857— NFL (@NFL) February 8, 2021
With 7:55 left in the second half, Chiefs defensive back Tyrann Mathieu appeared to intercept a deflected Brady pass, but the pick was negated by a rather interpretive defensive holding call on cornerback Charvarius Ward by Carl Cheffers’ crew.
2018 playoffs: Dee Ford's offsides negates a tipped Tom Brady interception, Brady goes on to beat the Chiefs
2020 Super Bowl: Charvarius Ward's hold negates a tipped Tom Brady interception, outcome ??? pic.twitter.com/nj36BBvNh8
— Christian D'Andrea, sim ruiner (@TrainIsland) February 8, 2021
It’s hard to see where the holding is here, and though the broadcast crew of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo accurately remarked that this will be called, it doesn’t mean that it should be.
Former NFL official and current CBS rules analyst pointed this out pregame.
The @Buccaneers offense will take shots down the field with their "no risk it, no biscuit" mantra. Downfield officials must stay alert as any play can break deep, regardless of down or distance. Tampa's WRs are physical and I expect significant hand-fighting with @Chiefs DBs.
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) February 7, 2021
Per Sports Info Solutions, the crews led by Super Bowl LV official Carl Cheffers this season called penalties at above the league average — 16.5 to 13.1. Cheffers’ crews also called defensive pass interference and defensive holds four times per game, up from the NFL average of 2.9. The Super Bowl crew is an all-star group as opposed to just Cheffers’ crew, but there you go.