Tennessee Titans cornerback Tramaine Brock was in disbelief. He stood up to celebrate his pass breakup, which should have brought on the Kansas City Chiefs’ punt team.
But it didn’t. There was a yellow flag on the field.
The Chiefs were a huge step closer to closing out the AFC Championship Game against the Titans when Mecole Hardman drew a defensive pass-interference penalty on Brock on a third-and-10 in the fourth quarter, with the Chiefs leading 35-24.
I have seen far worse NOT be called pass interference this year…#TENvsKC pic.twitter.com/tVeLzImuk0
— Tony Clements (@TonyClementsTC) January 19, 2020
On the play, Patrick Mahomes heaved the ball downfield with almost four minutes left in the game. The ball hit Brock in the back as he did his best to spin around and get his eyes on the ball. But the officials didn’t see him get his head around, and so they flagged him for interference, because he got in between the ball and Hardman, who was trying to come back to the under throw (which was a savvy play). Instant replay, however, showed Brock did turn his head, just before the ball arrived.
The Titans could have elected to challenge the call on the field. Instead, he chose to keep his final timeout for the following set of downs. Considering the low reversal rate on pass-interference calls this season, perhaps Mike Vrabel was anxious to take the risk. Instead, he watched the Chiefs bleed the clock on the following two series.
Absolutely ridiculous. https://t.co/XT4Q4mZ1Vb
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) January 19, 2020
That’s a bad. Bad DPI call.
— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) January 19, 2020
Did 92 get his head around there? Or does that weak DPI rule only work for the home team? #Titans
— Blitz enthusiast Will Lomas (@jlomas72) January 19, 2020
IF you cannot see that KC is holding EVERY snap & getting away with it… And @Titans are being called for DPI when it was OBVIOUS OPI… THEN THAT IS A YOU ISSUE
— TAKE the Win!! (AJ BROWN OROY!!) (@Kdg71Kenny) January 19, 2020
To @NFL thanks for making sure @NFLOfficiating team called a “fair” game
Numerous holds by KC not called
2 potential DPI calls on KC during Titans final drive not called
You know it’s more fun when the games are actually played fair, right? Your refs are a freaking dumpster fire pic.twitter.com/pLcH3nGnG2— TitanUp 2019 (@abudefdef) January 19, 2020
THE KC DEFENDER DIDNT TURN HIS HEAD WHERES THE FLAG? SAME SCENARIO AS TITANS DPI
— Josh Toon (@jtoon12) January 19, 2020
And the national media was in agreement.
Chiefs bailed out by that PI. I know he didn’t turn his head but the defender looked like he timed it well. Brutal for Titans backers. If you have a Chiefs -7 ticket … whew
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 19, 2020
I mean … come on
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) January 19, 2020
Lions fans watching that PI call against the Titans…in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/qNOzbcIWWY
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) January 19, 2020
If you’re not gonna challenge a PI call there … when would you ever challenge one?
— Kyle Madson (@KyleAMadson) January 19, 2020
I want this on the record – if I'm ever a DB I will always turn and look back.
Thank you.
— Andy Nesbitt (@anezbitt) January 19, 2020
On an underthrow like that, the receiver initiates the contact as much as the defender does by trying to work through him to the ball. It's a weak call. https://t.co/5oEbIrgXtJ
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) January 19, 2020
Why isn’t that DPI on #92? Didn’t get head around and made contact? Horrible implementation of the rules.
— Cam Worrell (@CamWorrell) January 19, 2020