The officiating team overseeing Sunday night’s clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers failed to make a crucial pass interference call, reminiscent of a similar lapse in judgment observed just one week prior in Atlanta.
The controversial non-call in the game at Lambeau Field involved a potentially game-deciding pass interference by Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine on Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Despite fervent protests from the Chiefs sideline and Valdes-Scantling himself, the officials chose not to penalize the play, allowing the Packers to secure a 27-19 victory.
Every play in NFL games is subject to evaluation by the officiating staff, with a thorough analysis of both calls made and those overlooked. These assessments contribute to the grading of officials, influencing their improvement strategies and playoff assignments. Former NFL vice president of officiating, Dean Blandino, highlighted the Valdes-Scantling incident as the most glaring missed call since the infamous Rams-Saints NFC Championship Game in 2018, drawing a connection between the two controversies.
Interestingly, the same officiating crew led by referee Brad Allen, responsible for the Packers-Chiefs game, had previously overseen the Saints-Falcons matchup in Atlanta on Nov. 26. In that game, a contentious non-call on defensive pass interference further fueled the debate surrounding officiating consistency.
During the second quarter, with 4:07 remaining and the Saints at the Falcons’ 23-yard line, a pass to running back Alvin Kamara went incomplete as linebacker Kaden Elliss failed to turn around to defend the ball. Despite the apparent infraction, Allen’s crew refrained from calling pass interference, provoking frustration from the Superdome and the Saints organization. The Saints went on to lose the game 24-15, trailing the Falcons in the NFC South.
The Saints’ history with missed pass interference calls, notably in the 2018 NFC Championship Game, adds context to the recent officiating controversies. The scrutiny on Allen’s crew intensifies as they prepare to officiate the upcoming game between the Texans and Jets at MetLife Stadium. The NFL and many stakeholders will be closely observing their decisions, hoping to avoid a repeat of the contentious calls that marred the past two weeks of play.
