There was reportedly no pool report after Chiefs-Bills controversy

It was arguably the most controversial play of the playoffs so far.

Make that two.

Yet, according to Pro Football Talk, neither head official Clete Blakeman nor anyone else from NFL officiating addressed the media after the game. Mike Florio reported that “there was no officiating pool report after the Chiefs’ 32-29 win over the Bills,” citing the league.

That means there was no public explanation for why the officiating crew ruled Josh Allen short of the yard to gain on a crucial fourth down play in the fourth quarter, despite certain angles — and some voices in sports media — suggesting otherwise.

Referees aren’t obligated to speak to reporters, nor are they automatically made available to the designated pool reporter after each game. As Florio points out, it’s up to one or more reporters in the press box or on the sidelines to request the pool report.

For context, referee Shawn Hochuli spoke with Zach Berman after the NFC Championship Game.

In this case, it appears nobody activated that option, leaving Blakeman to avoid addressing the confusing review process that ultimately favored Kansas City — even though Gene Steratore, of all people, disagreed with the ruling on the field.

The Chiefs took possession and promptly scored a touchdown. Though the Bills would later tie the game, Kansas City sealed it with a late field goal to win, 32-29. The outcome could’ve been different had Buffalo converted that pivotal fourth down.

It also could’ve changed had a flag been thrown on Buffalo’s last offensive possession. As the yellow icon appeared on the CBS scorebug, both Jim Nantz and Kevin Harlan called out the flag while fans scrambled to pinpoint where the penalty occurred.

But there was no penalty. A spotter informed Nantz that a flag had indeed been thrown, but that information didn’t pan out. The phantom flag might have been on Buffalo anyway, as Devin McCourty speculated, but at the very least, Blakeman could’ve offered some clarity and cleared up the confusion surrounding what Nantz was told.

Ultimately, the lack of an explanation only adds fuel to the fire. Sure, people might not have liked Blakeman’s reasoning or the officiating crew’s process, but at least some clarity could’ve spared the league from the lingering cloud of doubt.

But remember, it also takes two to tango.