Kansas City’s 27-17 Win Has Been Overlooked By A Wretched No-Call
The Chiefs defeated the Jaguars Sunday morning, taking full control over the AFC. However, despite how well the team played and how important the win was, one of the biggest points to come out of the game is how a helmet-to-helmet hit was not called.
Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was directly hit helmet-to-helmet while going for a pass down the middle. A flag was initially thrown, but soon waved off.
Both Chiefs offensive and defensive players were outspoken about the lack of a penalty. One of the most outspoken players was wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
“Those kind of hits are not welcome in this game, because we’re all playing and putting our lives on the line every single play and you never want to see a guy go down like that,” Valdes-Scantling said. “For me to come in and get the same kind of hit two plays later and there’s no flag, no penalty and you know, are they protecting us?”
Chiefs safety Justin Reid also had his disagreements.
“I did not agree with that call,” Reid said. They threw the flag and they ended up picking it up. That’s a player safety thing.”
He also said later that it is possible to avoid helmet to helmet hits.
“We were mad. I’ve had a ton of big hits in my career. Not once have I ever had helmet-to-helmet contact,” Reid said.
While the hit and afterwards was an emotional moment, for players and fans alike, the Chiefs were still able to get the job done.
One player in particular who stepped up in a big way was Kadarius Toney who was able to fill the role of missing Mecole Hardman and Smith-Schuster. Toney caught his first touchdown pass as a Chief along with many other very impressive plays. On the touchdown, he was wide open on the right sideline and hopped on one foot into the end zone.
He said in his post game press conference that he was determined to score.
“I gotta hop. I gotta get in there somehow, someway,” Toney said.
He would finish as the third best receiver on the day with 4 receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Isiah Pacheco also stepped up in a big way, taking over the running game. He had 16 carries for 82 yards on the day. This was double the amount of carries that he had all year and almost double the amount of yards he had in his best game of the year. Pacheco did have a fumble of the day early, but bounced back better than ever..
On the defensive side of the ball Carlos Dunlap became the 41st player in NFL history to record 100 career sacks.
“I feel lighter,” Dunlap said. “Obviously being able to get that accomplished is a huge milestone and accomplishment. As a young player coming into the league that was a goal.”
Next week the Chiefs will take on the LA Chargers on Nov. 20. That game was flexed into Sunday Night football as it should be a great AFC West Showdown.
Thoughts and prayers go out to JuJu, in the hopes of a safe and fast recovery.
