Here’s why there was no review on facemask penalty that nullified Chiefs TD
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Officials nullified Chiefs’ TD after facemask flag; replay standard limited.
- Rulebook allows review only if video shows clear and obvious noncontact.
- Multiple early calls and a blown dead whistle shaped Chiefs-Colts game flow.
Members of the NFL officiating crew put their mark on the Chiefs-Colts game early Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
There were four penalties on the game’s first eight plays alone. And the Chiefs had a touchdown taken off the board on what appeared to be an incorrect call by the officiating crew.
Fans were expecting a lot of flags because referee Alex Moore and his crew lead the NFL in penalties called and total flags, according to A to Z Sports.
The Chiefs were on the wrong end of what appeared to be a bad call by the officials: tight end Travis Kelce’s 4-yard touchdown reception from Patrick Mahomes.
But offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor was called for a facemask penalty. The thing is, Taylor never grabbed the facemask of a Colts defender, as CBS Sports rules analyst Gene Steratore noted. Steratore also said facemask calls are available to be reviewed by the NFL.
“As I look at it, 74’s hand is on the helmet, but it was not grabbing the opening. So it is a reviewable play,” Steratore said. “And if it’s not a grab on the facemask, they could have removed this.”
Here is the play.
However, there is a pretty high standard to overturn a facemask penalty.
It is addressed in Section 9 (Game Administration, Consultation, And Assistance) in the NFL rulebook.
It says: “The Replay Official or designated members of the Officiating department may provide information regarding the correct application of the playing rules, advise, consult with, or assist the on-field officials on specific, objective aspects of a play when clear and obvious video evidence is present, and/or address game administration issues, including, but not limited to ...
“(T)wisting, pulling or turning the facemask or helmet opening, and there is clear and obvious video evidence that the player did not make any contact with the hand to the opponent’s facemask or helmet opening.”
Was it clear and obvious? Taylor’s hand was on the facemask, which might be why there was no review.
Other odd officiating
That wasn’t the only dubious officiating moment from the first half.
On the Chiefs’ second drive, there were three oddball moments:
- A missed pass-interference call that left coach Andy Reid baffled
- A whistle stopped a Chiefs play only to have Moore say there was no penalty.
- The Chiefs were in the red zone and Mahomes got the Colts to jump offsides. Teams use this “free play” to take a shot at a TD. Instead, the officials called the play dead for some reason.
“They should have allowed that to continue to go,” CBS Sports’ Tony Romo noted.
This story was originally published November 23, 2025 at 1:28 PM.
