The Kansas City Chiefs defeated CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans 23-14 in the AFC divisional playoff game this past weekend.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 177 yards and one touchdown, and Travis Kelce was a standout performer, catching seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown – one of his better efforts from a rather pedestrian (for him) season.
Despite Houston outgaining Kansas City in total yardage, they struggled in the red zone, missing two field goals and an extra point. The win advanced the Chiefs to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship game.
But, as per usual, the game was dogged by at least one suspect officiating call that benefitted Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Texans were hit with twice as many flags for nearly three times as much penalty yardage.
The most egregious error from the refs, however, came during a first-down run by Mahomes in the third quarter. Two Texans defenders were flagged for a 15-yard penalty for hitting the Chiefs QB, but replays showed they actually hit each other.
Another 15 yard penalty for “playing football.” If you touch Mahomes, it’s a flag. Absolutely crazy… #nflplayoffs2025 pic.twitter.com/spfIMM759J
— 1MANTHRILLRIDE 🇺🇸 (@1MANTHRILLRIDE_) January 18, 2025
CJ Stroud Subtly Rips Refs
Following the game, CJ Stoud told reporters that he has to focus on his own game despite what the refs are doing to the benefit of the Chiefs.
It was a backhanded jab, for sure, but a clearly intentional one.
“I’m not gonna go back and forth on what I thought was a call when it wasn’t a call. It’s one of those things you kind of notice before you walk in that arena,” Stroud said. “I can’t argue with the ref, and at the same time, play football.”
“I gotta go do my job.”
He’s aware of the hometown refs. But opposing teams have to figure out a way to beat them and the Chiefs.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud was asked about the officiating vs Chiefs:
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 19, 2025
"One of those things, you know what's up before you walk into the arena."
"I can't argue with the ref and at the same time play football. I gotta go do my job." pic.twitter.com/HBtrUIlO5Y
RELATED: After Teammate Suffers Devastating Knee Injury, Texans QB C.J. Stroud Turns To Prayer
It’s Becoming A Problem For The NFL
The ESPN broadcast crew was firmly on the same side as CJ Stroud, at least in regards to the call on that hit against Mahomes.
Commentator Troy Aikman strongly voiced his dismay.
“Oh come on. I mean, he’s a runner. I could not disagree with that one more,” an exasperated Aikman told viewers. “He barely gets hit.”
Russell Yurk, the network’s rules analyst, also suggested they got the call wrong: “The two Houston players hit each other. That should not have been a foul.”
The problem is that this issue of the refs aiding the Chiefs isn’t a one-off. It’s cropped almost every single game as they consistently won contests throughout the regular season by one score or less.
Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., who was flagged for a specious roughing the passer call, also unloaded on the officiating.
“We knew it was going to be us against the refs going into this game. I talked to you guys earlier this week. I was just saying, I’m like man, we gotta go out there and we gotta do us better,” he said. “In some instances we didn’t do that, in some instances we did.”
Is this just sour grapes from the Texans or is there a Chiefs-refs relationship problem in the NFL?
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