Patrick Mahomes could force NFL to create flopping rule — with one play being scrutinized
NY Post
NFL officials were heavily scrutinized for some of the flags they threw in the four divisional-round games that saw the Chiefs, Bills, Eagles and Commanders advance to next weekend’s conference championships.
Yet, it was one play that didn’t draw a flag that could prove a most consequential non-call if the NFL decides to join the NBA and NHL in seriously cracking down on floppers, as ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman suggested during the Texans-Chiefs game.
NFL players can be penalized for the big umbrella “unsportsmanlike conduct” infraction, but there isn’t an official rule against flopping, and Aikman urged the league to address that during one of his several conversations with Joe Buck over the officiating in the Chiefs’ 23-14 victory.
On the same possession where he benefited from his late slide that caused two Texans players to crash into each other, drawing a widely panned unnecessary roughness flag, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes appeared to try to deke referee Clay Martin’s officiating crew into throwing another flag to aid Kansas City’s drive, which ended with a touchdown that put the Chiefs up by eight in the fourth quarter.
Scrambling to his left, Mahomes pulled up just as he went out of bounds. When linebacker Henry To’oTo’o tapped him, Mahomes threw himself dramatically to the ground but failed to fool the officials — or impress Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback who earlier took umbrage at the roughing-the-passer call against Houston.
“He’s trying to draw the penalty. Rather than just run out of bounds, he slows down,” Aikman protested. “And that’s been the frustration, and I get it. I understand it. That’s been the frustration for these defensive players around the league.”
Suddenly, someone had hit a rewind button and everyone had been transported back seven months. It was early spring instead of late fall, it was broiling hot outside the arena walls and not freezing cold. Everyone was back at TD Garden. There were 19,156 frenzied fans on their feet begging for blood, poised for the kill.
After leaving practice early on Monday to be evaluated for a lower-body injury, Adam Edstrom did not suit up Tuesday night against the Stars.
It’s not you, it’s me.
Not everyone wants to wake up in the city that never sleeps.
BOSTON — Despite no traction on a contract extension, Karl-Anthony Towns said his relationship with the Knicks front office remains strong and he hopes to continue his career with the team.
The Jets won a game on Sunday, an entertaining 27-24 victory over the Falcons on a 56-yard walk-off field goal by 41-year-old kicker Nick Folk.
Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss said he was just doing his job after a hard hit on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sparked tension in Monday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Dillon Brooks found himself in a familiar place Monday night — right underneath LeBron James’ skin.
Alexey Toropchenko is the latest hockey player to miss time because of a bizarre off-ice injury, after the St. Louis Blues said he is considered week to week after sustaining burns to his legs as part of a home accident. No other details were provided.
For a rebuilding Nets team, this season isn’t just about tanking for tomorrow’s lottery pick, but also developing the young players they have today.
After losing one of the top power-play defensemen in the NHL for at least the next several weeks, the Rangers are going to try something unconventional to spark their inconsistent season.
The Mets agreed to terms with Devin Williams, which means they now have exactly one viable right-handed reliever on their roster.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A defiant and exasperated Jaxson Dart, literally knocked into orbit by a hit he did not need to take, vowed that he will not change the way he plays.