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Refs Botch Facemask Penalty Call That Costs Chiefs A Td Vs. Colts At Arrowhead

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The Kansas City Chiefs thought they had a game-tying touchdown early Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. And they should have.

But game officials botched a facemask penalty, and Kansas City instead settled for a field goal. Officials had the option of getting things right via replay assist, but it was not used. Fortunately for the Chiefs, they rallied for a critical 23-20 win in overtime.

Refs got this wrong

The play in question happened in the final minute of the first half. Tight end Travis Kelce took a direct shotgun snap and ran the ball in from 4 yards. 

Travis Kelce takes the snap, and scores on the wildcat option.

Andy Reid trickery ???? pic.twitter.com/D1Io6mg2Iv

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 23, 2025

But Kansas City's celebration was short-lived. Officials called back the touchdown because of a facemask penalty on right tackle Jawaan Taylor. 

But Taylor didn't actually commit a facemask penalty. He got his right hand on the side of linebacker Kwity Paye's helmet. But he didn't grab the facemask or the opening on the inside of the helmet. 

Chiefs called for a face mask and it brings back a touchdown from Travis Kelce. pic.twitter.com/gxdpr1cnm5

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) November 23, 2025

It was clearly not a facemask. Illegal hands to the face could have conceivably been called, but Taylor didn't hit Paye's helmet with any force. And that wasn't the call anyway. Officials simply got it wrong. 

CBS analyst Tony Romo then incorrectly said that Chiefs coach Andy Reid could have challenged the call after rules analyst Gene Steratore said that it was eligible for review. That is not the case. 

The NFL expanded facemask calls this season to be eligible for replay assist, which allows replay officials to assist on-field officials with getting a call right. Replay assist could have been used in this instance, but it was not, and officials missed a chance to correct their error. 

But there was no instance in which Reid could have challenged the call. 

Either way, the penalty ended up costing the Chiefs four points in a critical game for their playoff hopes. Instead of a touchdown, Kansas City faced second-and-18 on the next down and settled for a Harrison Butker field goal three plays later. 

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