NFL refs are facing criticism for their questionable calls during the Chiefs' playoff victory over the Texans.

The game ended with a score of 23-14 in favor of the Chiefs.

NFL refs are facing criticism for their questionable calls during the Chiefs' playoff victory over the Texans.
NFL refs are facing criticism for their questionable calls during the Chiefs' playoff victory over the Texans.

The officials in the Kansas City Chiefs' AFC divisional round victory over the Houston Texans on Saturday night faced criticism for questionable calls during the game.

Officials were receiving criticism from various sources, including ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman, Texans players, and social media.

There were two penalties called on the Texans that drew ire.

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

In the first quarter, Houston edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was penalized for roughing the passer on a third down. It seemed like Anderson pushed Mahomes in the chest after the latter threw the ball incomplete to tight end Travis Kelce. Anderson was given a flag.

In the third quarter, Mahomes faced two blockers and three defenders while on a run. He then moved to his right and then back to his left before deciding to slide.

Despite the violent nature of the play, To'oTo'o was penalized for unnecessary roughness.

The first penalty extended the drive, while the second penalty pushed Kansas City up the field and resulted in a touchdown.

The Chiefs won the game, 23-14.

Aikman ripped the penalty on To’oTo’o.

Patrick Mahomes gets ready
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 could not disagree with that one more. He barely gets hit. That’s the second penalty now that’s been called against the Texans.…

"The quarterback cannot play games with defenders and expect to draw penalties. They must address the issue during the offseason."

He was not the only one who thought the officials made a mistake.

Texans personnel spoke out about it after the game as well.

"We knew going into this game that it was us versus everyone," DeMeco Ryans, head coach of Houton, stated via KPRC-TV. "When I say everyone, I mean everyone. All of the naysayers, the doubters, and everything we had to go against today. Knowing that going into this game, knowing what we were up against, we can't make the mistakes we made."

Anderson stated that the team was aware of the situation being "us versus the refs."

Texans running back Joe Mixon was also peeved.

"It's clear that playing up here is always a risk, and it's not just up to the refs to decide the outcome," Mixon stated. "But the whole world knows what it is, and that's just how it is."

Jon Weeks on the bench
Houston Texans long snapper Jon 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)

After the game, a pool reporter received an explanation of the calls from head referee Clay Martin.

He stated that the penalty flag for Anderson's call was due to "forced contact to the face mask area," while the other unnecessary roughness call involved "forced contact to Mahomes' hairline."

Despite C.J. Stroud's best efforts, the Chiefs kept him under control throughout the game. The Chiefs managed to sack Stroud eight times, with three of those sacks coming from George Karlaftis.

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by Ryan Gaydos

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