In the midst of swirling conspiracy theories and heated debates among fans, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is staying cool under pressure—both on the field and off. Addressing claims that Kansas City benefits from a little extra love from the referee’s whistle, Mahomes was straightforward: “I don’t feel that way. I just try to play football, at the end of the day,” he shared in conversation with NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. Mahomes emphasized the integrity of the officials, noting that they strive to keep the game fair and proper.
It’s a topic that caught fire after the Chiefs, known for their disciplined play, ranked third in the NFL for fewest penalties per game this season, as reported by nflpenalties.com. The controversy peaked during Kansas City’s divisional-round matchup against the Houston Texans, when two pivotal penalties drew the ire—and disbelief—of Texans fans.
The first incident happened in the opening quarter when the Chiefs caught a break on a roughing the passer call. Pass-rusher Will Anderson, charging in on a crucial third down, became the culprit here, giving the Chiefs an extended drive that kept Houston’s defense on the field longer than they’d hoped.
The drama didn’t end there. Later in the third quarter, linebacker Henry To’oTo’o was flagged for unnecessary roughness as he attempted to tackle a sliding Mahomes. This call paved the way for star tight end Travis Kelce to waltz into the endzone, extending Kansas City’s lead to 20-12 and shifting the momentum in a tightly contested game.
For those shaking their heads at the decisions, former senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson chimed in, affirming that both penalties were indeed correctly called. It’s a point that underscores a broader narrative: when you’re playing against a squad as polished as the Chiefs, any slip can—and often will—be scrutinized.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mahomes has been on the receiving end of the second-most roughing the passer flags this season, trailing only Pittsburgh Steelers’ Justin Fields, according to nflpenalties.com. For many fans, the questions remain, but in the high-stakes world of the NFL playoffs, such debates are as much a part of the game as the touchdowns and tackles themselves.
