Controversy was the name of the game when the Houston Texans travelled to Missouri to take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead in a Divisional Round Game. The Chiefs, who were heavy favorites to advance, picked up a 23-14 win with Taylor Swift and many celebrities in attendance, but the win didn't come without its fair share of scrutiny.
When all was said and done, the Texans were hit with eight penalties for 82 yards against the Chiefs being hit with four penalties for 29 yards. Two of those penalties riled up NFL fans on social media. Both roughed the passer calls in the third quarter that swung the game in the Chiefs' favor.
As the Chiefs advanced to their seventh straight AFC Championship Game, the NFL world took a strong stance on the officiating at Arrowhead, including three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth. In response to a fan who asked the Broncos icon what Bo Nix and Joe Burrow were doing this weekend, Schlereth responded:
"They watched the refs give all the calls to Kansas City just like the rest of America."
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
Following the loss to the Chiefs, the Texans became the first team in 50 games in NFL postseason history to outgain their opponents by 100 yards, have zero turnovers and lose.
What NFL referees had to say about controversial calls falling in Patrick Mahomes' favor
In response to the roughing the passer call on Houston's defensive end Will Anderson Jr., referee Clay Martin told Aaron Wilson:
"I had forcible contact to the facemask area, and, so, I went with roughing the passer on that play."
Marting also provided his point of view on why the Texans were flagged for roughing the passer when two of their own players had collided despite having little contact on Mahomes.
"When he slides, he is considered defenseless. The onus is on the defender. I had forcible contact there to the hairline, to the helmet," Martin told Wilson.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins' mom also joined in the chorus of the NFL world who threw accusations at the referees of conspiring to make sure that Mahomes would make a seventh straight appearance in the AFC Championship Game.
Chiefs Fans! Check out the latest Kansas City Chiefs Schedule and dive into the Chiefs Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.