Scott Van Pelt Rips Refs After Chiefs Beat Ravens in Opener

Longtime SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt was not a fan of the officiating during the NFL opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.

Van Pelt expressed frustration over the number of formational penalties called against the Ravens. Baltimore was flagged five times for illegal formation, while the Chiefs escaped without a single call.

“Everybody’s excited that the NFL is back,” Van Pelt said . “And it’s an incredible game with two great teams. I do think it’s reasonable to say that at some point, the ref show in this game was a bit excessive."

Van Pelt was discussing the officiating with former NFL lineman Damien Woody, who noted that the Chiefs' playing at home in Arrowhead Stadium might have had something to do with it.

“Listen, it might be a little bit of home cooking there,” Woody said.

Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley said after the 27-20 loss that he felt the refs were trying to make an example of him with the flags. Stanley was called multiple times for illegal formation.

"It didn't feel consistent with what we were told," Stanley said . "I feel like they were trying to make an example and chose me to be the one to do that. As far as I saw, they weren't doing it on both sides of the ball. I know I was lined up in a good position on a majority of the calls they made."

Ultimately, penalty yardage was not too skewed in the Chiefs' favor. Baltimore was flagged seven times for 64 yards, and Kansas City was called for six penalties, totaling 45 yards.

Related: Ravens Star Sends Warning to Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs After Opening Loss