If the NFL was hoping that the officiating changes would make the AFC Championship Game scandal-free, that wasn't the case.
On a crucial third-and-5 with 3:13 left in the first half, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes threw a deep pass to wide receiver Xavier Worthy. As the two fell to the ground, Bills safety Cole Bishop appeared to intercept the ball. However, Worthy wrapped his hands around the ball just before it hit the ground.
The umpires ruled it a perfect catch for the Chiefs. Bills head coach Sean McDermott disputed that it was a catch, and the referee conceded that Worthy had caught the ball.
The Chiefs took advantage of the call and scored a touchdown a few plays later, making the score 21-10.
The Bills were flagged for holding the ball on a play they probably shouldn't have, and fans on social media erupted in anger.
The week leading up to the AFC Championship Game was dominated by favorable accusations against the Chiefs by NFL officials. In the divisional round, the Chiefs directly benefited from three highly controversial calls, at least one of which directly led to points.
Some believed the game would be fairly officiated due to the appointment of referee Clete Blakeman, one of the few referees to whom the Chiefs had lost.
It is no exaggeration to say that after this play many people do not believe that such a thing happened.
