It’s time for the NFL to embrace the 21st century.

The NFL has long required electronic spotting technology. Following the controversial spotting during the AFC Championship, it’s imperative that the NFL prioritizes implementing this technology during the off-season. Avoid handing it off to a committee where it could be delayed or merely tested.

Make it happen.

Failure to act could lead fans to view the league and its officials as biased towards stars like Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, raising doubts about the authenticity of this $20 billion enterprise—potentially likening it more to WWE than a legitimate sports league. If the NFL continues to hold onto outdated practices reminiscent of leather helmets, it risks remaining stuck in the past.

During a tight game, the Buffalo Bills attempted to secure a first down with a sneak by quarterback Josh Allen. It appeared clear that Allen made the first down—by several inches—before being pushed back.

One line judge seemed to agree, moving in just above the first-down marker. However, another judge signaled from below the line, resulting in the initial decision that Allen fell short of the first down. While real-time calls may be tricky due to the clustered action on the field, the review upheld this call, even as CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore, a former NFL official, voiced what many non-Chiefs fans thought.

“I estimated he gained it by about a third of the football,” Steratore remarked, recalling that he once used an index card for a first-down measurement.

“I believed he made it,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott after the match. “To me, it appeared that just short of the line was indeed a first down. It looked like he reached it, that’s all I can say.”

Just a few plays later, Mahomes ran into the end zone, giving the Chiefs a 29-22 lead. The Bills managed to tie the game again, but Kansas City secured a field goal, and Buffalo couldn’t respond. The Chiefs claimed victory, 32-29, advancing to Super Bowl 59 against Philadelphia.

It’s uncertain whether the Bills would have won had Allen achieved that first down with ample time still on the clock—nearly 13 minutes left—and considering how hard it is to win against the Chiefs at home and in major games, especially with them reaching the Super Bowl for the third straight year.

The Bills certainly made their own blunders, failing on two two-point conversions, and Allen’s performance on the last drive of Buffalo’s with a 1-of-4 passing record didn’t help. However, it’s hard not to see the critical momentum the Bills had and feel that officials pulled it from them.

“I absolutely agree it matters,” McDermott stated. “Of course, it does. That was a possession while we were up by one point. We had a chance to increase our lead. It’s a significant call.”

Ultimately, whether this decision impacted the game’s final outcome is somewhat secondary.

The NFL is extremely cautious about anything that might undermine the game’s integrity. This sensitivity has led to multiple players receiving significant suspensions for gambling. Yet, many fans are increasingly convinced that there is favoritism towards Mahomes and the Chiefs, suggesting that the officials have been influenced to benefit them. The rationale is that having Mahomes as the league’s face and the attention from Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift makes it advantageous for all if they succeed.

Every game, there are complaints about perceived benefits granted to the Chiefs by referees—favorable calls, penalizing opponents, and other questionable decisions. Even earlier in the same match, a catch by Xavier Worthy was ruled valid despite questionable possession, leading to a Chiefs score shortly after.

Implementing electronic spotting technology won’t erase all doubts. However, in a climate where the NFL’s integrity is under scrutiny, any step towards modernization is preferable to maintaining the current system. The technology is available, and the league has the resources—what’s needed now is the determination to make it happen, especially after this latest game.

Stay updated with News Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.