KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to their seventh straight AFC Championship after defeating the Houston Texans, the second most in NFL history.
And while that feat is nearly unprecedented, there has been plenty of chatter among opposing fanbases NFL fans that some of their success should be credited to the referees the games are rigged for the Chiefs.
Although, it’s not only fans, but also one of the best players on the Texans also expressed the same sentiments.
“We knew it was going to be us against the refs going into this game,” Texans DE Will Anderson said after the loss to the Chiefs.
Anderson was called for roughing the passer on Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter on 3rd & 8. That call extended the Chiefs’ drive where they eventually kicked a field goal.
NFL referee Clay Martin gave an explanation as to why the penalty was called.
“I had forcible contact to the facemask area and so I went with roughing the passer on the play,” Martin said.
Martin also gave an explanation after Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness late in the third quarter after Mahomes slid to the ground and To’oTo’o collided
“He slid, obviously, and when he slides, he is considered defenseless. The onus is on the defender. I had forcible contact there to the hairline, to the helmet.
Houston had eight penalties for 29 yards while the Chiefs had four for 32 yards.
