Chiefs miss final play after disputed false start cost them winning touchdown

The Kansas City Chiefs lost their third game of the season on Sunday after a controversial false start call erased what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown. The penalty moved the ball back five yards on the final play of the contest against the Denver Broncos, turning a potential victory into a defeat at the goal line.

The Chiefs held a 24-13 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Broncos rallied. Patrick Mahomes drove the offense to the Denver one-yard line with 15 seconds remaining. A throwaway on second down and a stuffed run by Kenneth Walker III set up a fourth-and-one situation.

Mahomes completed a pass to Rashee Rice for the touchdown, but officials flagged right tackle Jaylon Moore for a false start. The penalty pushed the Chiefs back to the six-yard line. Malcolm Roach then sacked Mahomes on the subsequent play to end the game.

Head coach Andy Reid questioned the call during his postgame press conference. He noted that Moore appeared to turn his head rather than move his feet. "I didn't see it," Reid said. "But that's one man's opinion. I saw him move his head, but I didn't see a false start."

Jaylon Moore acknowledged the uncertainty when speaking to reporters in the locker room. "I mean I've got to go back and look at it, still haven't got a chance to look at it," Moore said. "But regardless, I've just got to be better."

The loss compounded earlier fourth-quarter mistakes. While leading 24-21, Mahomes took a sack on third down. Reid opted for a 54-yard field goal attempt by Harrison Butker, which missed wide right. The Broncos scored a touchdown on the next two plays to take the lead.

The result extends the Chiefs' losing streak to two games after a 5-0 start. It marks the third time in his career that Mahomes has lost a game while holding a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, dropping his record in those situations to 80-3.