Dee Ford Offsides Penalty Negates Chiefs Interception on Late Patriots Touchdown Drive

The Chiefs had the chance to put the game away with less than a minute left to play.

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford made a costly penalty late in the AFC Championship that cost his team an interception. 

The Patriots, down 28–24 with 54 seconds left to play, were facing a 3rd-and-10 from the Chiefs' 34-yard line with Tom Brady looking to lead his team on his ninth postseason game-winning drive. Brady eyed tight end Rob Gronkowski, but his pass was intercepted. 

The referees threw a penalty on the play, however. Ford was called for lining up in the neutral zone, costing the Chiefs a potential game-clinching interception.

A game-winning turnover is nullified by a penalty on Dee Ford. Patriots score on a 4-yard run from Rex Burkhead. Patriots lead 31-28 with 39 seconds left.

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) January 21, 2019

Ford discussed his crucial error postgame. 

"They said I was in the neutral zone. I gotta see the ball," Ford told reporters. "I gotta see the ball, especially at that time of the game and what’s at stake."

Dee Ford on the encroachment penalty that negated what would have been a clinching INT: “They said I was in the neutral zone. I gotta see the ball. I gotta see the ball, especially at that time of the game and what’s at stake. I have to see the ball.” #ChiefsKingdom #LetsRoll pic.twitter.com/NhCzQlYRFy

— KMBC (@kmbc) January 21, 2019

The Patriots ended up scoring to take the lead with less than one minute remaining. The Chiefs kicked a field goal on their ensuing drive to force overtime.