A costly lapse in judgment by veteran defensive tackle Chris Jones was a big topic of discussion following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
On third down, with just over five minutes remaining in the game, Nick Bolton recorded an 8-yard sack on Matt Ryan. The defense would have given the offense the ball with a 17-13 lead and a chance to close out the game. After the play was over, officials threw a flag when Chiefs DT Chris Jones and Colts QB Matt Ryan were face-to-face jawing at each other. Unsportsmanlike conduct was called on Jones, giving the Colts an automatic first down. It extended the drive, allowing Indy an opportunity to march down the field and score, which the Colts took full advantage of.
“I didn’t see any pushing or shoving, I’m not exactly sure what happened,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters after the game. “There were two guys talking to each other. I know that. It seemed like Chris (Jones) got called on that. I guess my best advice (to Jones) would be don’t talk.”
Jones took full blame for the penalty and the loss.
“It sucks, man because I blame myself for that,” Jones told reporters. “It was third down, we got off the field, the defense fought hard. I put us in the situation to get back on the field and then we got scored on. And that sums up the game. I take that one, that was my fault. It was definitely my fault.”
While Jones shouldered the blame, he was a bit frustrated by the situation and that a penalty was called. He didn’t think that anything that was said by him or Ryan was worthy of a penalty.
“I was frustrated that it got called,” Jones said. “I don’t think I said anything horrendous, but the official called it and I can’t take it back. So I’ve got to do a better job of playing the game and not saying anything, obviously. I thought we was having a conversation with one another, but you never know what the official has seen. They could have heard something that was loud. I’ve just got to do a better job playing football.”
According to KC Star reporter Sam McDowell, in the pool report after the game, referee Shawn Smith cited “abusive language towards an opponent” as the reason for the flag.
“As a veteran player on this team, I’ve got to be better in those types of situations with those things,” Jones concluded. “It won’t happen again for me. I take full blame. I apologized to the team for putting us in that type of situation. It was third down, we was off the field. It would have gave our offense the ball back.”
