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A controversial refereeing call at the end of Sunday Night Football has divided the internet after an Indianapolis Colts fumble was overturned, giving the team hope against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Down 30-27 in overtime, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones uncorked a deep pass for receiver Laquon Treadwell, which the receiver bobbled and then caught as Chiefs safety L'Jarius Sneed attempted to touch him down.
Referees initially called Treadwell as a live ball carrier, with the receiver getting up to continue the play. But disaster struck when the ball was punched out by Nohl Williams, with the Chiefs defense recovering the football.
Fans in Arrowhead Stadium went wild, believing they had won the game on the fumble as referees went to the monitor to see if Sneed managed to touch Treadwell as the receiver hit the ground – which would negate the fumble and rule him down by contact.
After a lengthy review, the officials overturned the fumble call – ruling that Sneed had touched the receiver on the hip at the exact moment Treadwell had control of the ball.
The decision led to wild reactions from fans in the stadium and game commentators Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth.
NFL fans stared impatiently at their screens during a controversial replay in Chiefs-Colts
In overtime, officials ruled that Colts receiver Laquon Treadwell was touched down on the hip by Chiefs safety L'Jarius Sneed just moments before the pass catcher fumbled the ball
Despite initially calling a fumble, officials overturned the call and gave the ball back to the Colts
Tirico, a veteran of sports broadcasting, simply said, 'Absolutely insane! Wow!'
His partner, Collinsworth, chimed in: 'I've never been a part of a game where anything like that happened to decide the game. Wow!'
Social media was split down the middle as to whether the call was correct or not.
'This is clearly a fumble,' said one user on X.
Another posted, 'Didn’t have control until after the catch. Fumble. Game over. Refs clearly anti chiefs.'
Others said, 'Contact for sure.'
One user who agreed said, 'Easiest overturn ever calling that a fumble is crazy.'
What may have been more unbelievable than the call is how it did not have any effect on the outcome of the game whatsoever.
With new life, the Colts squandered their chance and settled for a field goal to tie the game
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes then marched down the field to set up a game-winning field goal
After being on the right side of the officials' decision, the Colts stood 17 yards away from an improbable upset over the Chiefs.
But rather than ride the hot hand with Jones, Colts coach Shane Steichen handed the ball off to Jonathan Taylor on back-to-back plays, losing three yards.
On 3rd and 13, Jones couldn't find anyone open and scrambled for just five yards setting up a 4th and 8. After initially sending the offense out to bluff a shot at the end zone – and the win – the Colts instead settled on a field goal.
Indianapolis then kicked the ball back to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who only needed a field goal to win the game.
Sure enough, Mahomes did what Mahomes does best – driving Kansas City down the field and setting up Harrison Butker for a 40-yard field goal to win the game 33-30.
Mahomes looked his vintage self and showed no signs of regression from an ACL tear he suffered at the end of last season. The former MVP completed 32 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns.
It should come as no surprise that his top target on the night was Travis Kelce, who hauled in nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. It's the first game Kelce had triple-digit yards since a 2024 AFC Divisional round win over the Houston Texans.
The Colts were led by Taylor, who carried the ball 24 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Jones completed 22 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
