Chiefs’ Referee Monday Played Role in Last Week’s Denver Thriller

Crew assigned to Monday Night Football game coming off season-high 20 penalties.

Lions coach Dan Campbell talks to referee Brad Allen regarding offensive tackle Taylor Decker's 2-point conversion catch being called illegal touching during the second half of the Lions' 20-19 loss to the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs could end the week with a share of first place in the AFC West, but they need a Broncos loss to get there.

And Kansas City’s referee this week, Brad Allen, played a role in removing a key defensive starter from Denver’s lineup. More accurately, Dre Greenlaw played a key role in removing himself.

A couple of things here: Really hard to tell if Brad Allen makes contact with anybody when he throws his hands back, but it definitely caught Justin Strnad's attention.

Also, rookie Que Robinson with the heads-up play to try to get Greenlaw away from Allen. https://t.co/lughx922Pt

— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) October 20, 2025

The linebacker, who ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon in Kansas City’s Super Bowl 58 win over San Francisco, signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract to join the Broncos in March free agency.

But after missing the preseason and initial six regular-season games with thigh injuries, Greenlaw marred Denver’s storybook comeback in Sunday’s resounding 33-32 win over the Giants. His words and actions toward Allen following Wil Lutz’s game-winning 39-yard field goal resulted in a one-game suspension.

Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during the first quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

That suspension was upheld upon appeal Tuesday night, meaning Greenlaw won’t play when the NFL’s most prolific offense, Dallas, visits Denver on Sunday.

Kansas City visits the Broncos for an AFC West showdown in four weeks, Nov. 16, after the Chiefs’ Week 10 bye. This week, the Chiefs (4-3) host Washington (3-4) on Monday Night Football (7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN/ABC, KMBC Ch. 9, 96.5 The Fan).

Dec 15, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) with referee Brad Allen (122) before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Allen's 2024 game was memorable, too

And speaking of the Broncos and Wil Lutz, the last time Allen’s crew officiated a Chiefs game was Nov. 10, 2024. Kansas City linebacker Leo Chenal sealed the 16-14 win by blocking the kicker’s 35-yard attempt as time expired.

Allen also is believed to be the only NFL referee to have overseen two Chiefs losses in the same season since Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018. It happened in 2023, when the Chiefs went 0-2 in Allen’s two assignments, a 27-19 loss at Green Bay and a 24-9 loss at Denver.

Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Kansas City was 0-2 with Allen’s crew that season and 15-4 with all other combined crews, including the postseason.

Allen's most memorable recent game involved Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, then the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. In a 2023 contest, Dallas beat Detroit, 20-19, after officials ruled Lions tackle Dan Skipper -- who wound up catching what appeared to be a game-winning two-point conversion with 27 seconds left -- did not report as an eligible receiver.

Oct 19, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos punter Jeremy Crawshaw (16) and Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) celebrate the win against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Season-high 20 flags

Last week’s Broncos-Giants game also produced the most concerning number with regard to Brad Allen’s crew: 20 flags. According to NFLPenalties.com, that total was seven more than the crew’s previous single-game high this season, 13 in Week 4.

Four of those 20 penalties were defensive pass interference, including a 38-yard Riley Moss flag in the game’s final minute that set up Jaxson Dart’s 1-yard touchdown run and gave the Giants a 32-30 advantage.

Kansas City this season has received only three defensive-pass-interference penalties. The league average in 2025 is 3.97 per club.

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