John Hussey on The Call For Ravens v. Chiefs

It was just over a year ago, September 22, 2019 to be exact, when the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. Officiating the festivities was John Hussey. The results were horrifying to the Ravens and their fans — results that included egregious calls that went against the Ravens, all of which changed the momentum and ultimately the game’s outcome.

Unfortunately for the Ravens, John Hussey is on the call again this Monday Night, September 28.

I get that there are bad calls for each team in pretty much every game. I also get the notion that if you think the refs were the difference in the game then you didn’t do your job. But this was different.

In last year’s contest won by the Chiefs 33-28, John Hussey & Co. flagged the Ravens were 7 times for 61 yards compared to the hosts who drew laundry just 4 times for 31 yards. The difference isn’t exactly staggering albeit substantive, but the calls themselves were, and ultimately, they became the difference in the game.

Don’t believe me? Then check this out…

The Phantom DPI

Facing a 3rd-and-6 from the Ravens 28 with 3:16 left in the third quarter, the Chiefs led 23-13. The Ravens needed to force a FGA to keep it a two-score game. They did one better than that when Brandon Carr intercepted Patrick Mahomes at the Ravens 11-yard line. But it would not stand as safety Tony Jefferson was flagged for pass interference.

Still waiting to see the DPI on this play. More home cooking for the #Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/OO3SlEDyQB

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) September 23, 2019

No Penalty for Peanut

Two plays following Jefferson’s DPI, the Chiefs faced a 2nd-and-9 at the Ravens 14 with 2:15 left in the third. If there was ever a blatant holding penalty, seen by everyone except John Hussey and his merry band of zebras, this is it. Watch as Patrick Onwuasor (#48) is tackled from behind in his pursuit of Mahomes.

Here you go… pic.twitter.com/8SLuUQMHyg

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) September 23, 2019

BOINKED Boykin!

Trailing 30-19 with 9:21 left in the game, the Ravens faced a 2nd-and-10 from the Chiefs 32. Off of motion, Lamar Jackson hits Chris Moore on a swing pass that was technically a lateral. The play went for 11 yards and gave the Ravens a first down at the Chiefs 21. Or so we thought…

On the play Miles Boykin was flagged for offensive pass interference. First of all, OPI CANNOT occur if a lateral takes place. Secondly, even if one argues that this wasn’t a lateral (clearly it was), by definition, OPI occurs when there’s intentional physical contact with a defender, between the snap and the first touching of a forward pass, in order to hinder or prevent him from catching or defending the ball. There is a 12-yard gap between the ball and the Chiefs DB when Moore makes the catch. It is highly unlikely that he could make a play on the ball.

This was a lateral and as such it should have negated the OPI on Boykin. Instead of a 1st & 10 at the KC 21, it was 2nd & 20 at the KC 42. #Ravens eventually had to settle for a FG. pic.twitter.com/l2cqc2v9je

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) September 23, 2019

Wet Willie

In any sport, consistency is a key component to in-game officiating. Consistency helps players to adjust to the way a game is being called.

Now you’ll recall the hold on Patrick Onwuasor that was ignored on the 14-yard TD pass to LeSean McCoy above. Earlier in the game, a marginal at-best hold was called on Ravens WR Willie Snead that negated a 45-yard run by Gus Edwards. The play represented a huge swing in momentum with the Chiefs leading 14-6. Instead of a 1st-and-10 at the Chiefs 18 at the 6:34 mark of the 2nd quarter, the Ravens faced a 1st-and-17 at their own 30. Three plays later the Ravens punted and, on the ensuing drive, the Chiefs took a commanding 20-6 lead.

Talk about a ticky-tacky penalty on #Ravens WR Willie Snead… pic.twitter.com/uAY3zNTOuM

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) September 24, 2019

John Hussey. The name alone worries me. I even loathe his enunciation of the word “penalty”. Sometimes I wonder how my TV survives.

On Monday Night, I will have the Pepcid AC nearby, just in case.

I’d advise you to do the same.