Wild Chargers win filled with controversial calls in game's final moments
The Los Angeles Chargers pulled off one of the biggest wins of the NFL season Thursday with a gutsy 29-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs capped by a 2-point conversion to secure the victory.
While the do-or-die two-point attempt was thrilling, the conversion was set up by a handful of big plays with time winding down that put the referees to the test.
Officials miss helmet-to-helmet call
The first bit of officiating controversy came with the Chargers trailing 28-21 and facing second-and-goal from the 10-yard line with 34 seconds remaining. Quarterback Philip Rivers took a shotgun snap and scrambled forward when faced with pressure.
Justin Houston chased him down from behind for a sack while Dorian O’Daniel met Rivers head-on with a helmet-to-helmet hit that did not draw a flag. Rivers was livid and immediately pleaded with officials for a call that never came.
DPI or no DPI?
On the next play, Rivers looked to Mike Williams in the back of the end zone on third-and-goal from the 10. He threw a high pass that Williams reached for with his right hand. Williams’ left hand was hanging by his torso, where Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller brushed him on the forearm.
Officials flagged Fuller for pass interference, setting the Chargers up with first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. The pass interference call was borderline on a ball that may or may not have been catchable.
TD could have gone either way
From there, Rivers again looked to Williams. This time, Williams cut toward the sideline, where he hauled in the touchdown pass before stepping out of bounds. Before breaking on the ball, Williams pushed off Orlando Scandrick, and after he caught it, there was a bit of a bobble as he was stepping out of bounds.
No offensive pass interference was called, and the play was ruled a catch for a touchdown.
CHARGERS GET THE TOUCHDOWN 😱 pic.twitter.com/kRaJaEAoz2
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 14, 2018
The missed helmet-to-helmet call was blatant and should have been flagged. The defensive pass interference on Fuller and the ensuing Williams touchdown were close calls with plenty of gray area.
Did the officials get it right?
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Ex-MLB star makes absurd offer to President Trump
• Heisman winner Kyler Murray has tough choice to make
• College hoops player sued over sex tapes
• Dana White on Oscar De La Hoya: ‘He’s a liar and a phony’