The Kansas City Chiefs were beneficiaries of a questionable decision from referees during the first quarter which enabled them to extend their drive and eventually tack on three points against the Houston Texans.
After what appeared to be a clean and legal hit from Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. on Patrick Mahomes, officials tossed their flags and penalized Anderson for roughing the passer. That awarded the Chiefs a free first down, erasing what would’ve been a fourth-and-long.
Even announcer Troy Aikman wasn’t convinced that a flag was warranted there, but it wasn’t a reviewable play. The Chiefs scored a field goal seven plays later, giving them a 6–3 lead.
Fans have been skeptical about the amount of generous calls that have gone in favor of Kansas City throughout the year. Naturally, when a controversial decision from referees benefitted the Chiefs in their first playoff game of the year, those skeptics made themselves heard.
Roughing the passer: pic.twitter.com/c6h1X4gWtD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2025
