Sunday’s Referee: 3 Numbers That Should Concern Chiefs

Here's more proof that the NFL doesn't favor the Kansas City Chiefs.

October 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid argues with the referee during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs need to win at MetLife Stadium this week to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2011, two years before Andy Reid arrived.

And with the Giants hosting their home-opener on Sunday Night Football (7:20 p.m. CT, NBC/KSHB-TV, Channel 41, 96.5 The Fan), the nation’s largest media market has conspiracy theorists surfacing like bubbles in a pot of 212-degree water.

Nov 10, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; A penalty flag on the turf during the third quarter of an NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

“The NFL is not going to allow the Chiefs to start 0-3,” said Don La Greca during Monday’s edition of Don, Hahn and Rosenberg on ESPN New York radio.

“There’s too much on the line, I’m sorry,” La Greca added. “Call me a conspiracy theorist. ESPN can fire me. The NFL is not going to allow the Kansas City Chiefs to lose that game on national television and be 0-3.”

ICYMI on @DHRonESPN on @880ESPNNewYork:@DonLagreca says the NFL won’t allow the Kansas City Chiefs to go 0-3. pic.twitter.com/HNCLvvak6B

— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) September 15, 2025

And while La Greca and others believe the NFL loves the Chiefs, including the additional attention Taylor Swift has provided, two things run counter to the theory that – as La Greca said -- Roger Goodell would run onto the field before the Chiefs would be allowed to lose to the Giants.

First is last week’s 20-17 loss to the Eagles. On two fourth-quarter Tush Push plays that went for Eagles first downs, replays showed the Chiefs being robbed. One replay showed Philadelphia linemen moving before the snap, and the last showed Kansas City linebacker Drue Tranquill ripping the ball from Jalen Hurts’ possession.

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; NFL referee Land Clark during the Arizona Cardinals preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Exhibit B is this week’s referee, Land Clark. Here are three numbers from NFLPenalties.com with regard to the Chiefs and Clark’s crew that should concern Kansas City.

1-Clark’s most recent NFL game

On Sunday, Clark’s crew officiated Ben Johnson’s return to Detroit, the Lions’ 52-21 victory over Chicago. Out of 11 penalties, the crew flagged the visitor, Chicago, for eight of them.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) celebrates a touchdown against Chicago Bears during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2-Clark’s last Chiefs game

Clark’s crew drew just one Chiefs game in 2024, but it was significant. It was the only game the Chiefs played to win and lost, the 30-21 setback at Buffalo on Nov. 17. In that game, of nine total flags, six of them were called against Kansas City. The Chiefs finished the season 15-2, including a meaningless season-ending loss at Denver, resting their starters with home-field advantage already secured.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen runs laterally to find an open receiver. He gets the pass off before Kansas City's Felix Anundike-Uzomah sacks him during second half action against the Kansas City Chiefs in Orchard Park, Nov.17, 2024. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

3-Clark’s first of two Chiefs games in 2023

Clark’s crew officiated two Chiefs games in 2023, a 27-20 win in Week 5 win at Minnesota, and a 31-17 victory in Week 12 at Las Vegas. In that game against the Vikings, Clark’s crew flagged the Chiefs for 10 penalties. That number was the most called by a single crew against the Chiefs in 2023. And with regard to the crew, it was tied for their second-highest against one team in a game that season.

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) breaks up a pass for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Brandon Powell (4) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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