Replay reviews kept the Indianapolis Colts’ overtime possession alive against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Officials overturned a call that wide receiver Laquon Treadwell had fumbled, allowing the Colts to continue their drive before ultimately falling 33-30 in overtime.
Kansas City kicked a field goal on the first drive of overtime to take a 30-27 lead. Indianapolis needed a touchdown to win, meaning any possession that ended without points would conclude the game.
Daniel Jones connected on a 48-yard pass to Treadwell, advancing the ball to the Kansas City 17-yard line. Nohl Williams stripped the ball from Treadwell, and the Chiefs recovered it, celebrating what appeared to be a pivotal turnover.
The play was initially ruled a fumble on the field. Had the call stood, Kansas City would have won the game 30-27.
Why Wasn’t It A Fumble?
Officials reviewed the play and ultimately overturned the call.
Andy Reid looks up at the video board next to officials during the Chiefs’ 33-30 overtime win over the Colts on Sunday night. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
The crux of the review was whether Treadwell had established control of the ball before a Chiefs defender first made contact. He bobbled the ball during the catch, and contact before he secured it would not have ended the play.
Upon further review, officials determined that the defender touched Treadwell on the hip after he had already gained control. His knee subsequently hit the ground, and the ball was dislodged only after that sequence occurred.
Under NFL rules, a runner is considered down by contact when a defender touches him and a part of his body other than his hands or feet hits the ground. Consequently, the play ended before Williams knocked the ball loose. The result was a 48-yard completion, and Indianapolis retained possession at the Kansas City 17.
What Happened Next?
The Colts kept their offense on the field, took a timeout, and then sent out the field goal unit. Spencer Shrader drilled a 38-yard field goal to tie the game at 30-30 with 3:11 remaining in overtime.
Kansas City then drove from its own 32-yard line and won the game 33-30 on a 40-yard field goal by Harrison Butker as time expired.
