There was a critical play in the Chiefs-Chargers game on Sunday afternoon that saved the Bolts' skin and ended up helping them get in the playoffs. I highlighted the issue in this week's Sorting the Sunday Pile and Ryan Wilson went into more detail Monday morning, but the gist is this: San Diego should've been flagged for overloading the line on Ryan Succop's attempt at a game-winning kick.
On Monday, the NFL admitted that a mistake was made by the officials.
Bill Leavy's crew should've flagged the Chargers for having seven players on one side of the snapper during Succop's final regulation field goal attempt. (See: above.)
"This should've been penalized as an illegal formation," the NFL said.
The Chargers should've been flagged and received a 5-yard penalty, setting up Succop for another attempt at the winning field goal from 36 yards.
A made kick there changes the trajectory of the playoffs, as the Chiefs beating San Diego would've put the Steelers in the playoffs as a wild card instead of the Chargers.
Of course, as Ryan pointed out Monday, Pittsburgh could've beaten the Raiders, Vikings or Titans during the regular season instead. Then they wouldn't have had to worry about whether Succop made the kick.
