NFL World Weighs in on Officiating During Bengals-Chiefs AFC Title Game

The officiating from Sunday’s AFC title game is under serious scrutiny.

The Chiefs advanced to their third Super Bowl in four seasons with a 23–20 victory over the Bengals in Sunday’s AFC championship.

Kansas City scratched and clawed, but could never quite put away Cincinnati for good. The Bengals continued to hang around in the second half behind a hard-nosed defensive effort and some timely plays through the air courtesy of star quarterback Joe Burrow.

Ultimately, a late hit out of bounds by Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai put Kansas City in field goal range for the game-winner with just four seconds left in regulation. It was undoubtedly the correct call, as Mahomes was several yards out of bounds when he was hit by Ossai and sent into the bench.

However, several other calls in Sunday’s AFC title game were questionable. One call in the second half was so badly bungled that the referee announced a “do-over” of the down for the Chiefs.

Many NFL fans and media members perceived the officiating as being one-sided toward Kansas City in the friendly confines of Arrowhead Stadium. Here are some of the best reactions from a very entertaining AFC championship on Sunday.

this officiating has to be investigated

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) January 30, 2023

The Chiefs deserved to win that game.

But the officiating in that one was absolutely atrocious. Wrecked a great game. It's time for the NFL implement the SkyJudge, and deploy it aggressively, which is what a great majority of coaches want. You have the technology, guys. Use it.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 30, 2023

Championship Weekend

Officiating has been all over the place

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 30, 2023

The officiating in this game was unimaginably terrible. And very one sided. But that was an obvious call. And it ended the #Bengals season. #AFCChampionshipGame

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 30, 2023

The officiating in this league is embarrassing.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 30, 2023

Regardless of the outcomes today, officiating in the NFL isn’t what a league with this many resources should ever settle for. Not a good day for the men in stripes.

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 30, 2023

How is Torbert officiating a conference championship game?

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 30, 2023