Sauce Gardner was whistled for a costly defensive holding on what would have been an interception by Michael Carter II in the fourth quarter with the Jets trailing by a field goal.
Instead of an interception, the drive was extended, and Gang Green never got the ball back in a painful 23-20 loss to the defending champion Chiefs.
After the game, Gardner called out the officials for throwing the flag after the interception was secured, and not after the apparent hold was committed.
“Receiver ran into me, it was a collision,” Gardner explained.
“Same thing that was happening all game. They ain’t throw no flags. Pat threw the ball outside of the receiver, MC was there, he made a play, then the ref threw the flag.
“For me personally, that’s like when you play basketball one-on-one, you go to lay the ball up, wait to see if you miss, and then call a foul. I can’t even believe that.”
Fans were incredulous on social media, compounded by what looked to be a blatant missed holding call on a 3rd-and-22 that resulted in a rush for a first down by Patrick Mahomes. The Jets clearly weren’t happy about the officiating down the stretch either.
“They finally get bailed out by that, fourth quarter, crunch time,” Gardner said. “I don’t even know what to say.”
