Baltimore’s 27-13 defeat to Kansas City in Week 4 was already a bitter pill to swallow. But what happened between the whistles may sting even more, as head coach John Harbaugh publicly accused officials of favoring the Chiefs and demanded the NFL review the game’s officiating.
Three moments in particular fueled the outrage.

1. The Kyle Hamilton Pick-Six Wiped Away
Early in the third quarter, safety Kyle Hamilton appeared to swing momentum with a 40-yard interception return touchdown that would have cut the deficit to 17-13. Instead, the play was erased by a defensive holding penalty on Marlon Humphrey, flagged for grabbing Marquez Valdes-Scantling well away from the ball. The five-yard call gifted Kansas City a first down, and the Chiefs turned the drive into a field goal for a 20-6 lead. Fans immediately erupted online, calling it a “ticky-tack” penalty that “changed the whole game.”
2. No Flag on Trent McDuffie vs. Zay Flowers
Down 20-6 in the fourth quarter, Lamar Jackson launched a deep shot to Zay Flowers near the red zone. Replay showed Trent McDuffie tugging Flowers’ arm, but no defensive pass interference flag came. Baltimore settled for a field goal instead of a potential first-and-goal, narrowing only to 20-9. Supporters were furious, pointing to past DPI controversies in Ravens-Chiefs matchups. Analysts labeled it a “questionable no-call,” one that robbed Baltimore of a crucial touchdown opportunity.
3. Chris Jones’ Sack Without a Facemask Call
Just before halftime, with the Ravens trailing 10-3, Chris Jones sacked Lamar Jackson, forcing a fumble that Baltimore recovered. Ravens fans argued Jones yanked Jackson’s facemask, but no flag was thrown. One play later, Jackson threw an interception to Justin Reid, killing a promising drive. While not as decisive as the earlier calls, the sequence added fuel to suspicions of bias toward Kansas City’s defense.

After the game, Harbaugh didn’t hold back. He said the “integrity of the game” demanded accountability and insisted the NFL office take a closer look at how the calls — and non-calls — shaped the outcome.
For fans in Baltimore, the controversy echoes a long history of painful moments against Kansas City, reviving memories of infamous officiating debates in years past. This time, Harbaugh is making sure the league hears it directly from him.