Things weren’t going the Chiefs’ way for much of the first half against the Raiders (+7.5) on Monday. Though, after falling behind 17-0, Kansas City started to rally. That tension would come to a head on a key play involving Chiefs’ pass rusher Chris Jones and Las Vegas’ Derek Carr.
With Kansas City trying to steal one last possession before the end of the half, Jones got on his horse and blew by the Las Vegas’ offensive line to hit Carr for a sack. Jones’ rush and play were so good that he even stripped Carr of the football and had it in his hands, ready to run the other way.
So it was Kansas City football, right?
Wrong. The NFL would call a roughing-the-passer penalty on Jones for “using his full body weight,” extending a Raiders’ possession that would end in a field goal.
And yes, it’s very much as bad of a call as it sounds:
Chris Jones gets called for roughing the passer pic.twitter.com/QiTlE3CbiL
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) October 11, 2022
In case you were wondering, I’m pretty certain Jones might be the first player in NFL history to be called for roughing-the-passer … while holding the ball in his hands. Because, you know, the quarterback isn’t a passer anymore if they don’t have the ball in their hands. And Jones, with the ball in his hands, is now officially a runner.
Ah, well, at least Jones can just stop running full speed (?) and not throw his full weight (?) into Carr when simply trying to do his job. With Jones’ play being the second terrible roughing-the-passer call in as many days, it’s a good reminder about the NFL rule book: It makes zero sense!
NFL fans were absolutely incensed over the awful roughing-the-passer call on Chris Jones
Chris Jones just became the first player in NFL history called for roughing the passer while holding the ball.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2022
The bigger issue with that Chris Jones play is all of the refs missed the fumble. If they see the fumble, they don’t make that terrible call.
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) October 11, 2022
Chris Jones is HOLDING THE FOOTBALL when he is called for roughing the passer WHO WAS NOT HOLDING THE FOOTBALL AND UNABLE TO PASS.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) October 11, 2022
i mean this roughing the passer call might mean the whole game… fumble versus first down
What in the heck is Chris Jones supposed to do? He makes an incredible play, even takes the football away, and then gravity does its thing and that's a penalty?pic.twitter.com/VDRoUxdGvQ
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) October 11, 2022
chris jones is the first player to get a roughing the passer call while he’s technically the one getting tackled
— nu metal defense team 🤙 (@nosillaynot) October 11, 2022
Derek Carr getting the Tom Brady treatment while Chris Jones is just trying to recover the fumble he forced. Brutal call
— Sully Engels (@sullyengels) October 11, 2022
What is Chris Jones supposed to do here??? What on Earth is he supposed to do???? He HAS to finish this play. Awful. pic.twitter.com/vrkAhbeJhR
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) October 11, 2022
That is one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen! We stand with Chris Jones.
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) October 11, 2022
Obviously Chris Jones must magically levitate into another galaxy here. Good God. pic.twitter.com/fO0hMtcaeh
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) October 11, 2022
