NFL fans and pundits erupted in debate Sunday night following a critical penalty on Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai for a hit on quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the closing moments of the Chiefs’ AFC championship victory.
With the game tied 20–20, Mahomes, who played with a high ankle sprain, and the Chiefs took the field on third-and-4 from the Cincinnati 47-yard line looking to get into field goal range with 17 seconds left in regulation. Mahomes surveyed the field before scrambling for a first down and picking up a few extra yards as he made his way toward the sidelines. However, almost simultaneously, Ossai caught up to Mahomes and shoved the star QB as he was going out of bounds, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty and an extra 15 yards.
The massive call positioned the Chiefs for a manageable field goal attempt, which kicker Harrison Butker booted through the uprights from 45 yards out for the win.
