A Closer Look at Crucial Chris Jones Penalty

All-Pro defensive tackle has also been All-Pro in his character, but fourth-quarter mistake was devastating.

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) gestures to teh crowd during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chris Jones was accountable, to his credit.

“I know, man, I know,” he said after the game. “I'm beating myself up. I could have saved us four points. I felt like the guard moved, but yeah, critical situation. I gotta be better. Gonna beat myself up about that one. So close. I know it, man, I know it. We were right there.”

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (12) runs the ball and is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

He was right there earlier in the fourth quarter, when he sacked Bo Nix on third down to force a punt. That was big, too, because the Chiefs struggled to stop the Broncos all night on third down, allowing a season-high 61.1 percent conversion rate (11 of 18).

But on the only other time they stopped the Broncos in the fourth quarter, just before the two-minute warning when Nick Bolton held Evan Engram to a short gain to set up a fourth-and-2 from the Chiefs’ 9-yard line, Jones hurt them.

Badly.

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) greets the officials at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Broncos weren't going to snap the ball

His neutral zone infraction was the first accepted penalty against Kansas City, 58 minutes into the game. And Denver very likely wasn’t planning to snap the ball. The Broncos’ sole intention appeared to be drawing the Chiefs offside.

Had Jones not jumped into the neutral zone, giving Denver a first down and setting up an eventual touchdown to take a 20-13 lead with 1:45 left, the Broncos likely would’ve taken their final timeout and kicked a 27-yard field goal.

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun (19) runs the ball during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

That four-point difference would’ve been monumental for the Chiefs. Instead of driving for a game-tying field goal to send the contest to overtime, Chris Oladokun had to settle for a 26-yard, fourth-down incompletion intended for Hollywood Brown.

Dissecting film of the penalized play, right guard Quinn Meinerz might’ve twitched ever so slightly, but Jones had to know that officials would’ve struggled to see it. As soon as backup center Alex Forsyth slowly lifted his head, Jones exploded into the neutral zone.

Oct 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz (77) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Neutral zone infraction, not offsides

Both Meinerz and Forsyth definitely moved but not until after Jones had crossed the neutral zone. That’s important because this was not offsides. It was a neutral zone infraction, the definition of which is exactly what Jones did. It’s also an unfathomable mental error since defensive linemen are taught from a very early age to watch the ball, not the guard.

Jones is an All-Pro both on the field and with regard to his character. This season, he’s been accountable for his actions. He’s also played exceptionally well over the last month.

[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) picks up a first down against Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner (27) during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images | Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images

But there’s no doubt that his fourth-quarter mental mistakes have led to at least three losses this season.

In the Week 1 loss to the Chargers in Brazil, he allowed quarterback Justin Herbert to break contain and scramble for a game-ending first down in the final seconds. Four weeks later in Jacksonville, thinking the play was over, he stood idle and watched Trevor Lawrence stumble to the grass before getting up and scoring the game-winning touchdown.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) scores a game-winning rushing touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Don’t shift that browser, Chiefs Kingdom, because you’ve located the Internet’s best source for in-depth coverage. And don’t miss out on an absolutely FREE newsletter. Get the latest each morning, and SIGN UP HERE NOW.