“Can’t let golden child Mahomes lose” – Refs missing clear penalty on Chiefs right before their game-winning TD in OT sparks wild reactions on social media

Patrick Mahomes' game-winning pass to Kareem Hunt secured the Chiefs' overtime victory over the Buccaneers, though a missed false start by Jawaan Taylor drew controversy.

“Can’t let golden child Mahomes lose” – Refs missing clear penalty on Chiefs right before their game-winning TD in OT sparks wild reactions on social media

Jawaan Taylor's early start during Chiefs Bucs over time (Image via IMAGO/Screengrab X)

Patrick Mahomes’ reunion with Baker Mayfield had everything. Seven total touchdowns, player injuries, and even the last-gasp effort from Mayfield to force overtime. Yet, the referees missed a penalty just one play before the final touchdown. Jawaan Taylor breathed a sigh of relief.

The Chiefs won the toss and decided to receive. It gave the home team an advantage because scoring a touchdown meant winning the game. Mahomes led the drive, still feeling the effects of the noncontact injury. He avoided using his legs too much and relied on Kareem Hunt and his arm talent to do the job for him.

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Six minutes into the OT, Mahomes found wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who carried the ball deep into the Buccaneers’ territory. In the following play, the 29-year-old found Travis Kelce inside the Bucs 10-yard line, but the Tampa defense stopped his big frame.

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As the endzone was much closer than before, Mahomes switched things up and brought Hunt into the frame, who had already posted 100 yards on the ground. Hunt bulldozed his way through to the endzone to score the winning touchdown for the Chiefs.

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Social media unhappy with the officials for missing an obvious penalty on Chiefs

Now the controversy that engulfed social media after the final whistle—an X user posted a clip just before the touchdown play. They pointed out discrepancies in the play that involved Kelce.

"Can't let golden child Mahomes lose" - Refs missing clear penalty on Chiefs right before their game-winning TD in OT sparks wild reactions on social media
Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)

Right before Mahomes snapped the ball, Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor took a couple of steps back, allowing him to get a head start on the Buccaneers blitz. Taylor has been a serial offender of the same mistake, so it was easier to identify, but the referees missed it.

Taylor has been accused of lining up illegally at the line of scrimmage, making false starts, and even grabbing the face masks of his opponents. Last season, the referees penalized the 26-year-old five times in a fixture against the Jaguars. He also paid $16.391 for a face mask foul on then Jets Bryce Huff in week 4 as well.

It doesn’t really matter anymore because the game is done and dusted and the Chiefs remain unbeaten. Patrick Mahomes is currently on his best-ever start to the season with eight wins from eight. He finished the game with 34/44 for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Hunt had 27 carries for 106 yards and one score.

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For the Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield went 23/31 for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tight end Cade Otton caught 8 passes for 77 yards and 1 touchdown.