NFL Fans Rip Refs After Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Benefit From Questionable Call

Karl Rasmussen | Jan 18, 2025

Houston Texans edge Will Anderson Jr. hits Patrick Mahomes / Screenshot via Adam Schefter

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

Roughing the Passer penalties are out of control.

Rinse.
Repeat.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 18, 2025

That roughing call is a bad look.

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 18, 2025

OH, COME ON. THAT WASN'T HELMET TO HELMET. ANDERSON PULLED UP. NOT ROUGHING. ABSURD "PROTECT MAHOMES" PENALTY.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 18, 2025

That’s not a damn roughing passer. That’s a BS call

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 18, 2025

*Mahomes overthrows Kelce on 3rd and long*

The Refs:

pic.twitter.com/sFk2YJK0Vx

— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) January 18, 2025

Here it is!

The questionable Patrick Mahomes roughing the passer!

NFL is so embarrassing pic.twitter.com/p5dLIYAqh9

— Savage (@SavageSports_) January 18, 2025

The worst roughing the passer penalty in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes gets this call. Every other team is sick of this @NFLOfficiating. pic.twitter.com/bml5OUvsUm

— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) January 18, 2025

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