Officials in Kansas City Chiefs The AFC Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday night came under scrutiny for questionable calls throughout the game.
From ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman to the Texans players after the game to social media, officials were shining the spotlight from all angles.
Two punts were called Texas Which sparked anger.
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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 Championship playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Houston edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was called for roughing the passer on third down in the first quarter. Anderson appeared to shove Mahomes in the chest after he threw the ball incomplete to tight end Travis Kelce. Anderson is tagged.
The second penalty came during a Mahomes scramble in the third quarter. He had two blockers on the run and three defenders pressuring him. He moved to his right and then back to his left when he decided to slide.
Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o hit Mahomes around the neck during a slide. Despite the raucous nature of the play, To'oTo'o was known for its unnecessary roughness.
The first penalty extended the drive and ended with a field goal. The second penalty pushed Kansas City up the field and the drive ended in a touchdown.
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Presidents He won the match by a score of 23-14.
Aikman ripped the penalty on To'oTo'o.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before the AFC Championship 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 can't disagree with that, he's barely getting hit. This is the second penalty that's been given now against the Texans. …
“They have to address it in the offseason. You can't, as a midfielder, run around and play games with the defenders and then be able to give a penalty.”
He was not the only one who believed that officials made a mistake.
The Texans staff talked about that after the game as well.
“We knew going into this game that we were up against everyone,” Houghton coach Demico Ryans said. Via KPRC-TV. “When I say everyone, everyone. Everything…the naysayers, the doubt is valid. Everyone we had to face today. Knowing that going into this game, knowing what we're up against, we can't make the mistakes we made.”
Anderson said the team knew it would be “us versus the referees.”
Texans running back Joe Mixon was also upset.
“Everyone knows how it goes, playing here, you can't leave it in the refs' hands,” Mixon said. “But I mean the whole world sees it for what it is, bro. It is what it is.”
Houston Texans tally John Weeks sits on the bench during the AFC Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, January 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Head referee Clay Martin explained the calls to a pool reporter after the game.
He said the contact with Anderson was the result of “forced contact with the face mask area,” which warrants a penalty flag. He said there was forced contact with Mahomes' “hairline” on another unnecessary roughness call.
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The Chiefs were able to keep Texans quarterback CJ Stroud out the entire game. The Chiefs sacked Stroud eight times, including three from George Karlaftis.
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