The NFL was criticized for questionable calls when the Chiefs defeated the Texans in the finals
The officials for the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC divisional round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday night were under scrutiny for questionable calls throughout the game.
From ESPN’s Troy Aikman to Texans players after the game to social media, the officials were lighting up from all sides.
There were two penalties called on the Texans that drew ire.
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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tries to avoid Houston Texans defensive ends Will Anderson Jr., left, and Denico Autry during an AFC playoff game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Houston runner Will Anderson Jr. called for a pass rusher on third down in the first quarter. Anderson was seen shoving Mahomes in the chest after he threw an incomplete pass to Travis Kelce. Anderson is flagged.
The second penalty came when Mahomes was fouled in the third quarter. He had two run blockers and three linebackers coming at him. He went from right to left when he decided to slide.
Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o hit Mahomes in the neck as he skated. Despite the bang-bang nature of the game, To’oTo’o was called out for unnecessary harshness.
The first penalty extended the drive and ended in a field goal. A second penalty pushed Kansas City up the field and the drive ended with a touchdown.
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The Chiefs won the game 23-14.
Aikman ripped a penalty from To’oTo’o.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before the AFC playoff game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
“Oh, come on,” said the Dallas Cowboys great. “I mean, he’s a runner. I wouldn’t argue with that anymore. He’s not getting hit. That’s the second penalty we’ve called against the Texans. …
“They have to talk about it at the beginning of the season. You can’t, as a quarterback, run and play with defenders and be able to draw a penalty.”
He was not the only one who thought the officials had made a mistake.
The Texans staff talked about it after the game.
“We knew going into this game we were up against everybody,” Houghton coach DeMeco Ryans said, via KPRC-TV. “When I say everybody, it’s everybody. Whatever it is… Critics, doubt is okay. Everybody we had to fight against today. Knowing that going into this game, we know what we’re up against, we won’t make the mistakes we did.”
Anderson said the team knew it would be “us against the refs.”
Texans running back Joe Mixon is also in hiding.
“Everyone knows how it is, playing up here, you can never leave it in the hands of the refs,” said Mxon. “But I mean the whole world can see what it is, brother.”
Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks sits on the bench during the AFC divisional game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Head referee Clay Martin explained to the pool reporter after the game.
He said the call against Anderson was the result of “forced contact in the facemask area,” which warranted the penalty flag. He said there was forced contact with Mahomes’ “hairline” in another bad call that was unnecessary.
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The Chiefs were able to block Texans linebacker CJ Stroud the entire game. The Chiefs sacked Stroud eight times, including three on George Karlaftis.
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