NFL Fans Rip League's Ruling On Chiefs vs. Texans Referees
Today at 02:14 PM
NFL fans are ripping the league's officiating office for their ruling on the Chiefs vs. Texans game on Saturday.
The Chiefs topped the Texans, 23-14, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday. Kansas City was on the receiving end of some suspect calls by the officiating crew, led by veteran official Clay Martin. Most notably, the Texans were called for a questionable roughing the passer penalty on Patrick Mahomes in the first half and a ridiculous late hit penalty on the Chiefs quarterback in the second half.
NFL fans accused the game of being "rigged."
But the NFL's league office has officially responded to the accusations. The league is standing by its officiating crew.
The NFL's head of officiating, Walt Anderson, said on NFL Network on Sunday morning that both of the questionable calls were the correct ones.
"If there's contact to the head of the quarterback, that's probably going to be called by the officials," Anderson said of the roughing the passer flag. "…On this play there was contact. … There's one place in the rulebook that it states by rule that when in doubt, officials are to call roughing the passer."
On the "late" hit: "When No. 39 comes in and the hairline of his helmet strikes the helmet of the runner who is already on the ground, that's a foul," Anderson said. "Even if replay assist could help with that, when there's contact like that it's not going to be changed."
NFL Officiating Rules Analyst Walt Anderson appeared on @NFLGameDay with a detailed explanation of the controversial flags thrown Saturday for hits on #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 19, 2025
Short version, per Anderson: Under the rules, officials got both calls right. pic.twitter.com/gIL9OidOQL
NFL fans aren't happy, though.
"Walt are u covering league rules or KC rules?" one fan wondered.
"No talk about late slides by the QB. Seems likely that won't change in next years rules," one fan added.
"Covering the on field officials for protecting Mahomes is what he did. Sickening," one fan added.
"He's paid by the NFL, of course he is going to say that," one fan added.
"Perhaps even more concerning than the calls on the field…" one fan added.
"This is why fixing the officiating is not going to happen. They actually think they got it right," another fan wrote.
The Chiefs are set to host the Bills or the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game next weekend. Hopefully, that game is without officiating controversy.
