Tyreek Hill says refs saved Chiefs during Jets matchup, just like in Super Bowl vs. Eagles

The Kansas City Chiefs were able to squeeze by the New York Jets last Sunday night, 23-20, thanks to a 15-play, 45-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that helped Patrick Mahomes and Co. run out the clock. There was a very controversial call on that drive that played a large roll in deciding the game.

On a third-and-20, Mahomes dropped back and attempted a pass deep to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The pass was intercepted by Michael Carter, but there was a flag on the field. Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner was called for defensive holding. That penalty gave the Chiefs a fresh set of downs, and they were able to run out the clock.

On his “It Needed To Be Said” podcast, former Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill said that defensive holding penalty was a “50/50” call.

“When the game on the line, you gotta let the players play,” Hill said. “It’s a good game! It’s a good game!”

Hill also pointed out that this same penalty “saved” the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII vs. the Philadelphia Eagles just months ago.

If you recall in last year’s Super Bowl, Mahomes led the Chiefs down to the Eagles’ 15-yard-line with 1:54 remaining in the game, which was tied at 35 apiece. Facing a third-and-8, Mahomes attempted a pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster in the left corner of the end zone, but the ball was overthrown. However, there was some yellow laundry on the field. Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was called for holding, which gave the Chiefs a first down.