(CNN)With Super Bowl LVII tied 35-35 with just 1:54 remaining, the Kansas City Chiefs faced a critical third down in Philadelphia Eagles territory to keep their drive continuing and run out some clock before attempting a game-winning field goal.
Chiefs quarterback -- and newly anointed NFL MVP -- Patrick Mahomes waited and threw a pass towards the endzone in the direction of JuJu Smith-Schuster, only for it to fall to the Arizona turf.
Just when it looked like the drive was ending and Kansas City would have to kick a field goal which would allow the Eagles the opportunity to have one final drive with about 90 seconds left -- plenty of time for Jalen Hurts and Co. -- a yellow flag fluttered onto the field from an official signaling a penalty.
The officials adjudged that Eagles cornerback James Bradberry had held Smith-Schuster, giving the Chiefs an automatic first down and allowing them to run the clock down to 11 seconds before kicking the go-ahead field goal -- essentially wrapping up the victory.
In the immediate aftermath, the penalty call was questioned by the TV announcers.
"On this stage, I think you let them play, finish this thing out," Fox broadcaster Greg Olsen, a former star tight end, said. "I don't love that call."
And on social media, it was queried by many, as people maligned it as effectively deciding the outcome of the NFL's biggest game.