Bills DT Daquan Jones calls out NFL referees' double standards with Chiefs resulting in cancelled TD vs. Steelers

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Daquan Jones sparked controversy by criticizing NFL officials for their inconsistent penalty calls. His comments targeted a crucial holding penalty against the Pittsburgh Steelers that nullified a touchdown in their Christmas Day showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The matchup pitted the AFC powerhouse Chiefs, chasing the conference's No. 1 seed, against a Steelers squad battling in the AFC North race. This historic contest marked the NFL's first-ever broadcast on Netflix.

The game-changing penalty occurred when Steelers tight end Darnell Washington was flagged for holding. It erased what would have been a crucial TD run by Jaylen Warren. The sequence proved costly as Russell Wilson threw an interception on the next play.

Jones voiced his frustration on social media. The controversial call halted Pittsburgh's momentum in what commentators dubbed the "Nightmare on Christmas."

"They never call that hold," Jones said.

The penalty proved costly in a defensive struggle. The Chiefs' third-ranked scoring defense had already stifled Pittsburgh, forcing a three-and-out on their opening drive. Wilson narrowly avoided disaster by recovering his fumble during that series.

Steelers vs Chiefs matchup intensifies

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers - Source: Imagn

The reversed TD marked a dramatic shift after Pittsburgh's spirited response. The Steelers had rallied from a 13-0 deficit, with Wilson earlier scoring on a one-yard TD run to cap an 11-play, 72-yard drive.

Kansas City's offense seized control after the controversial call. Patrick Mahomes displayed his improvisational skills, completing a 14-yard flip pass to Samaje Perine before finding Justin Watson for a 49-yard connection. The duo later paired up for a TD.

The Steelers eventually found their footing with Wilson scoring on a one-yard TD run, trimming the deficit to 13-7. However, the earlier sequence involving the holding penalty remained a talking point throughout the broadcast

Pittsburgh's push for their first AFC North title since 2020 faced another setback controversial call. With their defense allowing fewer than 20 points per game and ranked seventh in scoring, the Steelers have shown they can compete. However, as Jones pointed out, critical calls like this continue to impact crucial late-season matchups.