What happened during Texans vs Chiefs? Full list of controversies feat. Patrick Mahomes’ flop

On Saturday, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs booked their berth in the AFC Championship Game for the seventh year running following their 23-14 win over the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. As incredible as that achievement is, it was barely mentioned in the game's aftermath.

Instead, the main talking points were the slew of controversial calls that went in the Chiefs' favor. The officiating to many felt so lopsided that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans almost said it out loud before stopping himself short, likely to avoid getting reprimanded by the league.

From phantom calls that benefitted Kansas City to borderline-egregious misses that cost Houston, the referees left fans and analysts alike incensed with their underwhelming performance. Here is the list of controversies from the Chiefs' win over the Texans:

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Chiefs vs. Texans controversial decisions

Patrick Mahomes draws contentious roughing the passer call

Midway through the first quarter and the score tied at 3-3, Patrick Mahomes missed the mark on a 3rd-and-8 play that should have forced the Chiefs to settle for a punt. However, they were bailed out by a roughing the passer penalty on linebacker Will Anderson.

However, replays suggested that the foul call was too soft and many say the referees bailed Mahomes out. The quarterback drove the offense down to the Texans' eight-yard line but they held firm to limit the damage to a field goal. While Houston was relieved about not giving up a touchdown, they were rightfully pretty upset about the call extending the Chiefs' drive.

Bryan Cook gets away with a hip-drop tackle

On the Texans' opening drive, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a perfect deep pass to tight end Dalton Schultz, who could have broken loose for a massive gain, potentially a touchdown, had safety Bryan Cook not tackled him to the floor.

However, the veteran used the outlawed hip-drop tackle to stop Schultz and landed on his legs, which could have resulted in a severe injury. A referee was watching the play from close proximity but did not throw a penalty flag, much to the tight end's disbelief, who gestured incessantly for Cook to be charged.

A hip-drop tackle doesn't only result in a 15-yard penalty, but also a hefty fine. However, the Chiefs star managed to escape both.

Patrick Mahomes draws unnecessary roughness call after Texans players collide with each other

Late in the third quarter, Mahomes fumbled a snap but managed to scramble for nine yards but couldn't go any further as Texans defenders swarmed him from every direction, forcing him to give himself up. However, the quarterback slid down at the last second, causing defensive Folorunso Fatukas and linebacker Henry To'oTo'o to smash into each other helmet-first.

Fortunately, both players were unharmed. However, much to Houston's frustration, the referees deemed that To'oTo'o hit Mahomes headfirst, charged him with unnecessary roughness, and gifted Kansas City another 15 yards. Unsurprisingly, the linebacker was flabbergasted and threw his hands up in disbelief.

Mahomes flops to draw a foul, gets called out by Troy Aikman

Later in the same drive, Mahomes tried to scramble for a touchdown on a 2nd-and-goal play from the 13-yard line but could only get two yards deep from the line of scrimmage before running out room to run. However, instead of running out of bounds, the Chiefs superstar slowed down less than a foot away from the sideline, prompting To'oTo'o to shove him.

As soon as the linebacker pushed him, the quarterback threw his hands in the air and hit the floor dramatically, trying to draw a flag for a late hit that would have resulted in a 1st-and-goal from the six-yard line.

The referees did not take the bait but didn't charge Mahomes with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty either. Hall of Famer and Fox Sports commentator Troy Aikman couldn't help but call out Mahomes for his attempt to trick the referee.

The Texans kept the game close until late in the fourth quarter but were ultimately beaten by a better team. They paid the price for missed opportunities, particularly with kicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn missing a field goal and a PAT, with another field goal being blocked. However, they have every right to feel upset about the refereeing.