Broncos Edge Chiefs 28-24 as False Start Call Stuns Kansas City
Jaylon Moore’s snap count violation erased a potential game-winning touchdown, allowing Malcolm Roach’s sack to seal the victory.
By Madison Darwish ·
The Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 on Saturday, a result secured by a false start penalty that erased a potential game-winning touchdown. With four seconds remaining on the clock, the Chiefs trailed by four points and faced a fourth-and-goal situation at the Denver 1-yard line.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes launched a pass toward wideout Rashee Rice, who caught the ball just past the goal line. The initial touchdown would have put the Chiefs ahead, but flags fell from the field. Broncos right tackle Jaylon Moore was called for a false start, wiping the score off the board and moving the ball back to the 6-yard line.
The Broncos regained possession and defended the final play. Linebacker Malcolm Roach recorded the decisive sack from the middle of the pocket, ending the game. Mahomes, while being tackled, threw the ball toward the end zone in a final attempt to create a fumble or a new play, but the game clock expired.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid disputed the call, stating he saw movement but not a false start. However, film review shows Moore jerked his right knee back before the snap. Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper, playing in his first home game off the exempt list, noticed the movement and alerted the officials before the snap count.
Mahomes acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that small movements often go unpenalized in high-stakes moments. He added, “But a lot of times in those big moments, the little stuff doesn’t get called like that.”
Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce’s brother and former NFL center, offered his analysis on the “New Heights” podcast. He stated, “I want to go on-record: This is definitely a penalty.” Travis Kelce, who was in motion during the play, agreed with the call, saying, “At the end of the day, we still had another play left.”
The call sparked immediate backlash on social media, including a post from Brittany Mahomes, Patrick’s wife. She wrote on Instagram, “You can’t tell me you call that on a game-winning TD.. That was the weakest call I have ever seen; you can’t tell me otherwise.”
Goal-line defender Malcolm Roach responded to the criticism with a measured perspective. He noted that the referees had made their decision before the play concluded. “Coach always tells us, ‘Nobody ever won an argument with a referee once he makes the call,’” Roach said. “So that’s kind of what it is.”
