Jim Nantz, Tony Romo were baffled by referees’ decision to snub Bills’ first down which led Patrick Mahomes’ go-ahead drive

CBS announcers could not believe their eyes when the referee overturned a tush push first down from Bills Josh Allen.

Jim Nantz, Tony Romo were baffled by referees’ decision to snub Bills’ first down which led Patrick Mahomes’ go-ahead drive

Referee did not award first down to Josh Allen and Buffalo Bills (Image via IMAGO/X)

Josh Allen is usually efficient while attempting a quarterback sneak or tush push, as the Gen Z slang quantified it. The Buffalo Bills played bold and went for the sneak twice in the same drive.

The first try was successful, but Allen came up short on the second occasion. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense stopped the Bills’ quarterback. At first glance, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton appeared to fend off Allen’s six-foot-five frame, which left the line referees confused.

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The far-side referee deemed that Allen secured a first down, but the near-side referee did not agree. Thus began a long debate and several minutes of review to reach a conclusion.

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Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo and veteran announcers Jim Nantz and Gene Steratore were covering the game from inside the CBS booth. Romo can be heard saying that he thought Allen had the first down until the referee interjected. The officials ruled it in the Chiefs’ favor as their first down instead of the Bills.

Wow. That’s so close. Whatever the call was, I don’t think you can overturn it. Kansas City came in with a plan to… Does the ball cross the line, definitely? Wow!

Tony Romo said

Nantz asked Steratore about his opinion.

I felt like he gained it by about a third of the football Jim. That was just my take on the play. Tough tough play.

Gene Steratore said

Chiefs made the most of the opportunity. Patrick Mahomes led a three-minute drive to score a 12-yard rushing touchdown. It increased the Chiefs’ lead to seven points.

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Heartbreak for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills

Allen reduced the score by throwing a touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel in the following drive. The Chiefs’ drive ended with a field goal from Harrison Butker (his 11th post-season field goal from distance).

Jim Nantz, Tony Romo were baffled by referees' decision to snub Bills' first down which led Patrick Mahomes' go-ahead drive
Josh Allen (Image via IMAGO)

The Bills were handed the chance to win the game in the final two minutes. Allen threw a deep pass on fourth down despite pressure from Chiefs defense. However, Bills second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid dropped the ball, short of the field goal range.

If Kincaid had held onto the ball, then Tyler Bass only needed under 50 yards to score a field goal and tie the game, which never happened. The game ended 29-32, and Allen lost for the fourth time against Mahomes in the postseason.

It’s not fun… To be the champs, you’ve got to beat the champs. And we didn’t do it tonight.

Josh Allen said via Matthew Bove
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Josh Allen finished the game with 22 completions for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Chiefs are set to play against the NFC Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the New Orleans Super Bowl.

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