Controversial facemask call erases Travis Kelce TD in Chiefs-Colts

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid brought out the trickery early in Sunday’s Week 12 home contest against the Indianapolis Colts. Down near the goal line, Reid dialed up a wildcat option for tight end Travis Kelce.

Kelce kept it and took it in for Kansas City’s first score of the game — or so they thought. Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor was flagged for grabbing Kwity Paye‘s facemask, taking the score off the board. There was some controversy there, as Taylor didn’t appear to actually get ahold of Paye’s facemask. However, he certainly had a stranglehold of his helmet.

Chiefs called for a face mask and it brings back a touchdown from Travis Kelce. pic.twitter.com/gxdpr1cnm5

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) November 23, 2025

Taylor was not happy. Neither was offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. The Chiefs could have challenged the call but opted against it.

Kansas City, instead, settled for a Harrison Butker field goal to cut Indianapolis’ lead to 7-3. The Colts quickly answered with a four-yard receiving score from tight end Drew Ogletree, extending their lead to 14-3.

The Chiefs have been slow out of the gates, and that’s troublesome for a team that desperately need a win. Kansas City is in unfamiliar territory, sitting outside the playoffs with the calendar in mid-November. If the Chiefs lose to the Colts, their playoff chances plummet to 30%. A win and that goes up to 58%.

While you never count Patrick Mahomes and co. out, Kansas City hasn’t looked like the Kansas City of old. They have work to do Sunday, working against an 8-2 Colts team.