The Kansas City Chiefs’ first exhibition game of the year saw them take a 20-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but the final score isn’t what should have anyone worried. What should have the entire league paying attention is the absolute flag-fest that went down for the Chiefs, who racked up a staggering 12 penalties for 83 yards. That’s a huge number, especially when the Rams only got popped for four flags the entire game. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid didn’t mince words post-game, stating, “There were some good things, and there were some things we need to clean up. Obviously, with the penalties, that would be the number one thing that needs to be cleaned up.” Talk about a glaring problem right out of the gate!
Flags Flying Everywhere
Twelve penalties in a single game? That’s just wild, and it’s definitely not the kind of “good thing” Coach Reid was talking about. Eighty-three yards handed over to the opponent for free is a killer, and it immediately puts any team in a tough spot. Compare that to the Rams, who stayed disciplined with just four penalties, and you see a massive difference in early-season form. While everyone knows preseason scores don’t matter much for the season ahead, a stat like this? That absolutely matters. It speaks to a fundamental discipline issue that, if not fixed now, will bleed into the games that actually count.
The Rhythm Killer
You want to know how bad these flags were? Even the Chiefs’ first offensive drive got completely derailed by one. Quarterback Justin Fields hit wide receiver Cyrus Allen for a sweet catch-and-run that moved the chains, looking like a promising start. But then, *boom*, offensive pass interference on wide receiver Jalen Royals. Just like that, the drive’s rhythm was killed stone dead. You might question the call, but according to the NFL rulebook, it sounds legit. If a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player’s chance to catch the ball, it’s pass interference. Doesn’t matter if the pass crosses the line or not, or whether the ball wasn’t out fast enough; if Royals engaged too quickly, it’s a flag. This isn’t just a one-off thing either; these momentum-killing snaps are “reminiscent of drive-ending penalties that plagued all of last season.” The Chiefs’ offense needs to keep a stronger rhythm this year, and that means they absolutely have to nip this penalty bug in the bud.
This isn’t just about a few bad plays; it’s about the entire team’s focus and discipline early in the season. With Coach Reid putting penalties at the top of his “needs to clean up” list, you know it’s a serious problem. And if you needed any more indication of how intense the fallout will be, Chiefs RB Brashard Smith already dropped a hint about how Eric Bieniemy is expected to respond to all those offensive flags. His take? “It’s gonna be hell.” You better believe that locker room is about to feel the heat, and if they don’t get it together, those penalties will hurt them big time when the games really count.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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