The CBS NFL crew made a terrible mistake in the Buffalo Bills-Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship Game on Sunday, and of course it had to happen right after the game’s most important play.
Looking to finally solve Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the playoffs, Josh Allen and the Bills were on the cusp of winning the AFC Championship Game and punching a ticket the Super Bowl for the first time in 31 years.
Facing a 4th-and-5 situation with two minutes to go and his team down by three points, Allen threw a desperate heave to tight end Dalton Kincaid that fell incomplete, giving KC the ball back.
But fans on both sides had to freeze and wait, as play-by-play man Jim Nantz announced that a flag had been thrown. And if you were watching on mute, you saw the yellow “flag” graphic pop up on the bottom of the screen:
TOUGH Jim Nantz moment. Full trust in the spotter for the flag. There was no flag. pic.twitter.com/1jJBsajZeH
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 27, 2025
The truth was there was NO FLAG thrown at the most important part of the AFC Championship Game. Nantz and Tony Romo seemed completely confused and went silent for several seconds before the former interrupted his partner to say “No flag!”
You have to feel for Bills fans who, in that moment, obviously thought their team was getting a second chance. And if you’re a Chiefs fan, the big celebration had to be paused for several seconds until the confusion was cleared up.
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Speaking To Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated, Nantz clarified that it was a simple error by the broadcast spotter. Nantz couldn’t see a marker on the field but made the call because the “flag” graphic popped up.
The AFC Championship Game Was An Instant Classic, Nonetheless
The Chiefs-Bills rivalry in the Patrick Mahomes-Josh Allen era hasn’t disappointed whatsoever. Five of their last six meetings (including the three playoff games) have been decided by a single-score.
Allen and Mahomes both played excellent on Sunday, but there was only room for one victor in the AFC Championship Game. Once again, it was Kansas City.
