Officials of the Kansas City Chiefs' AFC Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans on Saturday night came under intense scrutiny after questionable calls during the game.
Everyone involved, from ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman to the Texans players after the game to social media, were watching from all angles.
The Texans were given two penalties that sparked outrage.
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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tries to get around a Houston Texans defensive end during an AFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. Will Anderson Jr. (left) and Denico Autry. (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 push Mahomes in the chest after throwing an incomplete ball to tight end Travis Kelce. Anderson was flagged.
The second penalty came during Mahomes' scramble in the third quarter. He had two blockers trying to run and three defenders holding him down. He moved to the right and then back to the left when he scored a slide.
Texans linebacker Henry Tootoo'o hit Mahomes in the neck as he slid. Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, To'o To'o was called out for its unnecessary roughness.
The first penalty extended the drive, which ended in a field goal. The second penalty forced Kansas City up the field and the drive ended in a touchdown.
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The Chiefs won the game 23-14.
Aikman took Tootoo's penalty.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes warms up before the AFC divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
“Oh, come on,” the Dallas Cowboys great said. “I mean, he's a runner. I disagree with the other penalty where he was barely hit. This is the second penalty called against the Texans.
“They have to address this issue in the offseason. As a quarterback, you can't run around and play games with defenders and then give penalties.”
He wasn't the only one who thought officials had made a mistake.
Texans officials also spoke about this after the game.
“Going into this game, we knew it was us versus everyone,” Houghton head coach DeMeco Ryans said. Via KPRC-TV. “When I say everyone, I mean everyone. You name it… Naysayers, you're right in your doubts. Everyone we had to play today. Going into this game, what we're playing against. You can't make a mistake because you know what you're doing.'' We made it.'' ”
Anderson said the team knew it was going to be “us versus the referees.”
Texans running back Joe Mixon was also frustrated.
“We all know what it's like to play here. You can never leave it in the hands of the referees,” Mixon said. “But what I'm saying is, let the whole world see it for what it is, brother. It is what it is.”
Houston Texans long snapper 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)
Referee Clay Martin explained the call to pool reporters after the game.
He said the call on Anderson was the result of “forced contact in the face mask area” and warranted a penalty flag. He said another unnecessarily rough call involved forcible touching of Mahomes' “hairline.”
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The Chiefs kept Texans quarterback CJ Stroud at bay throughout the game. The Chiefs sacked Stroud eight times, including three times for George Karlaftis.
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