NFL refs under fire for questionable calls in Chiefs playoff win over Texans

Officials in Kansas City Chiefs Saturday night’s AFC Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans came under scrutiny for questionable calls throughout the game.

From ESPN’s Troy Aikman to the Texans players after the game to social media, the officials were covered from all angles.

Two penalties were awarded Texans which caused anger.

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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tries to avoid Houston Texans defensive ends Will Anderson Jr., left, and Danic Autry during an AFC playoff game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. was called for knocking down a third down pass in the first quarter. Anderson appeared to shove Mohamed in the chest after he threw an incomplete ball to tight end Travis Kelce. Anderson was tagged.

The second penalty came during a tackle on Mahomes in the third quarter. He had two blockers on the move and three defenders rushing at him. He moved to the right and then back to the left as he decided to slide.

Texas linebacker Henry To’oTo’o hit Mohamed in the neck as he slid. Despite the harsh nature of the play, To’oTo’o has been called unnecessarily crude.

The first penalty extended the drive, which ended in a field goal. A second penalty pushed Kansas City up and the drive ended with a touchdown.

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Chiefs won the game 23-14.

Aikman missed a penalty on To’oTo’o.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before the AFC divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans, 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 help but agree that another one, he’s almost getting hit. This is the second penalty the Texans have called…

“They have to address that in the offseason. You can’t, as a quarterback, run and play defenders and then be able to take a penalty.”

He is not the only one who believes that the officials made a mistake.

The Texas staff spoke about it after the game as well.

“We knew going into this game we were up against everyone,” Houghton head coach Demeka Ryans said. via KPRC-TV. “When I say about everyone, it’s about everyone. All, whatever… Skeptics, doubters are right. Everyone we had to go up against today. Knowing that going into this game, knowing what we’re up against, we can’t make the mistakes that we did.”

Anderson said the team knew it would be “us versus the refs.”

Texans running back Joe Mixon was also annoyed.

“Everybody knows how it is, playing here, you can never leave it in the hands of the refs,” Mixon said. “But I mean, the whole world sees it for what it is, bro. It is what it is.”

Houston Texans running back John Weeks sits on the bench during the AFC Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Head umpire Clay Martin explained the calls to a pool reporter after the game.

He said Anderson’s call was the result of “violent contact with the mask area” that warranted the penalty flag. He said there was violent contact with Mahomes “by the hairline” during another unnecessary roughness call.

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The Chiefs were able to keep Texas quarterback C.J. Stroud at bay all game. The Chiefs sacked Stroud eight times, including three by George Karloftis.

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