NFL Fans Question Refs After Controversial Cook-Pitts No-Call in Chiefs vs. Falcons

Doric SamSeptember 23, 2024

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Kansas City Chiefs remained undefeated with a 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football, but the hot topic after the game once again centered around a controversial decision by the officials.

In the fourth quarter, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a pass to the end zone on fourth down intended for tight end Kyle Pitts. It looked like Chiefs safety Bryan Cook made contact with Pitts before the ball got there, but the referees didn’t call defensive pass interference.

DraftKings @DraftKingsShould this have been ruled pass interference? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/OSFEEttOXK

Kansas City went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, giving Atlanta one last chance at stealing the win. However, the Chiefs defense shut the door on fourth down to send the Falcons fans home disappointed from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This marks the second straight week that the Chiefs benefitted from the officials, as a defensive pass interference penalty helped move them into position for a game-winning field goal in their Week 2 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Fans are starting to grow weary of the defending back-to-back Super Bowl champions seeming to be aided by the referees, and they took to social media to voice their displeasure:

Jared Fleming @flimflam15Bengals CB plays the ball and gets called for PI. Chiefs commit textbook PI (head turned, early contact, not playing the ball) no flag… pic.twitter.com/vmlDdMehSN

Heath Cummings @heathcummingssrShould have been PI on Cook on the Pitts target

Air Raid | Buffalo @TheBillsGuysLast week I stated that if the roles were reversed the refs never would have thrown the DPI flag for the #Chiefs that they did on the #Bengals even though it was a clear penalty.

That non-call on Bryan Cook proves my point

Matt Verderame @MattVerderameI’m sure this stuns Twitter, but the Chiefs got away with one. Bryan Cook should have been flagged for DPI.

Isaiah Jordan @IsaiahJordan05⁦@NFL⁩ no PI!? C’mon now. Y’all are allowed to call flags on the Chiefs.. ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/uJ8kXRb9sa

Rebecca Grant @rebeccagrantsChiefs repeatedly causing PI with no calls on them. #NFL taking over and it’s ugly to watch.

Will Petersen @PetersenWillEvery single week the Chiefs get an insane call that goes their way. That’s clearly PI on third-down and no flag. Garbage. @NFL

The Chiefs have been the darlings of the NFL since Patrick Mahomes took over as their starting quarterback and ignited their recent run of success.

However, Sunday’s game provided another example of a call working in Kansas City’s favor.

Still, a win is a win, and the Chiefs will look to continue their early-season momentum when they chase their fourth straight victory next week against the Los Angeles Chargers.