4 Questionable Calls That Gave Chiefs Momentum in AFC Championship Game vs Titans

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years after taking down the Tennessee Titans. Though Titans fans have some legitimate gripes based on the officiating throughout the game, several flags in particular stand out after the contest that will have fans frustrated.

4. Instant Holding

The Titans faced a crucial third-and-1 in the third quarter and were pushed back after a holding call. But upon further review, it appears the ref had already decided holding would be called before the play began. There was hardly a delay between the snap and the flag being thrown, bringing legitimacy to those questioning the call.

3. Clear Helmet-to-Helmet Contact

Ryan Tannehill took an absolute shot from Daniel Sorensen that was not flagged for an illegal hit to the head. Even in real time it should be hard to ignore the shot the quarterback took to the head. This missed call could have helped the Titans advance the ball at a time when the offense was stalling in the third quarter.

2. Questionable Pass Interference

Pass interference calls are always killers in the NFL due to the ball being placed at the spot of the foul. The Titans were the victim of a brutal pass interference call in which the photo evidence shows that the defender did indeed turn around to play the ball. This first down essentially gave the Chiefs the opportunity to take more time off the clock in the fourth quarter.

1. Phantom Toe-Tap

The Chiefs got all the breaks and a phantom toe-tap from Sammy Watkins gave the team a conversion that kept a drive alive when the Titans were still in this game. Were both feet in? Apparently there was enough evidence for the referees to think so, only adding to the frustration felt by Titans fans on so many close calls.