Kansas City Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid aimed to defeat his former team, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes sought redemption for February’s Super Bowl LIX loss. But the Philadelphia Eagles prevailed once again, and the Chiefs’ Week 2 defeat turned controversial as Reid and defensive tackle Chris Jones publicly criticized NFL officials for missing false start calls.

Kansas City’s 20-17 loss to the Eagles on Week 2 night wasn’t just about missed chances, it was about missed calls. Tensions ran high on the Chiefs’ sideline as Philadelphia’s infamous tush push play stirred up controversy once again. The Chiefs’ head coach couldn’t hold back. “There might have been a couple of them they got off early, we’ll look at that,” Reid said postgame, his frustration evident as he questioned the absence of false start calls.

The timing made it even more crucial. With 7:53 left in the fourth quarter and the Eagles leading 13-10, their offense lined up for a 4th & goal play. Cameras showed their guards clearly jumping early, but the referees missed it, likely because the offensive line was tightly packed and blocked the view.

Fans flooded social media with anger, calling the play illegal and urging the NFL to ban it. But one Chiefs player saw past the outrage and spoke up.

Amid the uproar, one voice from the Chiefs’ locker room cut through the noise.

Andy Reid’s DT reveals his stance on tush push

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones was more blunt. “We think he jumped multiple times. The official didn’t see it, so it wasn’t called,” he said, mirroring the outrage of fans across the country. The play has gained a reputation for frequent infractions that often go unnoticed, sparking frustration every time it’s run.

Even though cameras clearly showed a false start, the officials missed it, and the Philadelphia Eagles scored the game-winning touchdown. With the tush push back in the spotlight, more teams may now push for the NFL to ban it.

Packers President Mark Murphy had said back in February, “I am not a fan of this play. There is no skill involved and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less.” That’s exactly what happened on September 14. The Brotherly Shove, where the quarterback is forcefully pushed forward by the offensive line, is nearly unstoppable, especially on short-yardage plays.

The Philadelphia Eagles have mastered it, and opponents, including the Kansas City Chiefs, have yet to find a reliable counter. The Bird Gang even used it to open their scoring in Super Bowl LIX, and despite Andy Reid’s coaching brilliance, the Chiefs remain on the losing end of this tactic.

The loss drops Kansas City to 0-2 in the AFC West and leaves Reid’s group stewing over what feels like more than just football execution. This is the worst opening season for the AFC West franchise since 2014. For a team with Super Bowl ambitions, seeing games decided by officiating lapses is infuriating.