The Chiefs were having a lot trouble moving the ball in Minnesota and trailed 13-0 late in the third quarter, but the Vikings might have gotten a big call in their favor. Facing a fourth-and-1 inside the Vikings' 10-yard line, running back Charcandrick West appeared to get stuffed in the backfield for a loss and the play was whistled dead.
Did refs screw up on a 4th-and-1 call against the Chiefs?
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
But, was he actually down? You be the judge.
Here’s a still shot of West’s backside in relation to the ground.
That’s pretty damn close.
Making matters worse for Chiefs fans, West got up and ran the ball into the end zone for a score that would’ve pulled Kansas City to within six points.
It’s all moot, though, because after being blown dead, that play is not reviewable, as explained by the referees in Minnesota. Per the NFL rule book, a play where a runner is ruled down by defensive contact and does not involve a fumble is not reviewable. It’s a close play, so even if it were reviewable, it may not have been reversed, but it’s bad luck for the Chiefs that the referee deemed the play dead, because they desperately needed something to happen on offense.
The Vikings retained control of the football and their 13-point lead.
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