NBC rules analyst takes issue with penalties called on Kansas City Chiefs defense
One of the key plays of the first half of Super Bowl LV on Sunday was a defensive holding call on Charvarius Ward that negated a Tyrann Mathieu interception.
It came in the second quarter with the Buccaneers leading 7-3 and at the Chiefs’ 30-yard line. Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady’s pass was tipped and picked, seemingly helping the Chiefs dodge a bullet.
Instead, the Buccaneers drive remained alive, and it ended with Brady throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Chiefs’ Bashaud Breeland was flagged for holding, but it didn’t matter.
Terry McAulay, the rules analyst for NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football,” weighed in on Twitter saying the calls weren’t up to the standard of the regular season.
Penalties also hurt the Chiefs just before halftime, helping Tampa Bay drive 71 yards in 55 seconds to score a touchdown for a 21-6 lead.
All told, the Chiefs were flagged eight times for 95 yards in the first half.
This story was originally published February 7, 2021 at 7:20 PM.
