‘Football is dying’, fume NFL fans after Patrick Mahomes gets ‘lucky’ ref flag in Chiefs NFL opening game win vs Ravens

FOOTBALL fans were left less than impressed following a roughing the passer call during last night’s NFL opener.

The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs took on the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium to get the new season underway.

ABC

ABC

Andy Reid ‘s men triumphed 27-20 to get off to a good start – but the game was not without its controversial moments.

With the Chiefs leading 13-10, Rashee Rice pulled off an impressive 33-yard catch and run.

Many fans were then left bemused, however, as roughing the passer was called on Nnamdi Madubuike, following the defensive tackle’s collision with Patrick Mahomes .

When roughing is called, the offending team loses 15 yards.

“These refs stink,” one fan fumed following the call.

“Refs bailing them out,” a second moaned.

“Soft call he got there as soon as the ball was released,” a third claimed.

“Football is dying,” a fourth posted.

While a fifth called the Chiefs “lucky”.

The Ravens later thought they’d given themselves a chance to win right at the death, only for a video replay to intervene.

Isaiah Likely believed he’d scored a touchdown, which would have seen his team have a two-point conversion to win.

It was later deemed that his toe had made contact with the out-of-bounds line, however, much to the Ravens’ dismay.

After his team’s narrow defeat, tight end Likely fired off a warning to the Chiefs.

“This is probably the worst game we’re gonna play all year,” he said.

‘I STILL THINK IT’S A TOUCHDOWN’

“So if this is the best that they got, I mean, good luck in the postseason.”

Quarterback Lamar Jackson was also fuming with the controversial call.

“I thought it was a touchdown,” the 27-year-old revealed after the game. “I still think it’s a touchdown.”

Likely went on to add that next time, his team must not leave anything to chance.

“At this point, you just have to live with the call,” Likely said.

“You have to look on, obviously watch the film, see where we can get better to not put ourselves in the situation to leave it in the refs’ hands to be able to call that.”