Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes heard complaints about officiating in Saturday’s playoff game against the Houston Texans.
The referees came under heavy criticism for two penalties imposed on Houston for hits on Mahomes. Houston running back Will Anderson Jr. was flagged for roughing the passer on a third down in the first quarter.
Anderson appeared to shove Mahomes in the chest after he had thrown an incomplete pass to tight end Travis Kelce. Anderson was singled out.
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The second penalty came during a Mahomes scramble in the third quarter. He had two blockers running and three defenders closing in on him. He moved to the right and then to the left when he decided to slide.
After the game, Houston players and even head coach DeMeco Ryans suggested that the referees were favoring the Chiefs with the calls.
Mahomes addressed fan reaction during an interview on 96.5 The Fan on Tuesday.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled by Azeez Al-Shaair (0) of the Houston Texans during the first quarter of an AFC divisional playoff at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri . (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
“I’ve learned that no matter what happens during the game, something will come out if you win and keep winning. So I don’t really pay attention to it,” Mahomes said.
“I mean, obviously, I’ve been on both sides as far as how I felt the decisions were made, but, at the end of the day, those guys are doing everything they can to make the best decisions and hold up to where the players are making the best decisions.” plays in the game.
“And that’s what decides the outcome. And obviously there was a call here or there that people didn’t agree with, but at the same time, I think there were a lot of other plays that really decided the outcome of that football game.” “. “.
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Patrick Mahomes (15) of the Kansas City Chiefs is hit during an AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Head referee Clay Martin explained the calls to a pool reporter after the game, saying the call on Anderson was the result of “forced contact with the mask area,” which warranted a flag. He said there was forced contact with Mahomes’ “hairline” on the other unnecessary roughness call.
But many fans also criticized Mahomes after he fell to the ground after being lightly hit by Texans defenders in the fourth quarter. Many fans accused the star quarterback of intentionally “diving” in an effort to draw another penalty, and ESPN announcer Troy Aikman even criticized Mahomes for the fall during the game.
“He’s trying to draw the penalty. Instead of just going off the field, he slows down. And that’s been the frustration, and I get it. I get it. That’s been the frustration of these defensive players around the league,” he said. Aikman. .
During Mahomes’ interview on Tuesday, he said he “probably shouldn’t have done that.”
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes bites his mouthguard during warmups before a game against the Denver Broncos on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
“I would say the only one where I felt like I probably did too much was the one where I was on the sideline where I didn’t get a flag, and the ref saw it and didn’t throw a flag. And I understood that right away and I know I probably shouldn’t have done that,” Mahomes said.
“But at the same time, what everyone talks about when I fell, it’s like I was just trying to keep the defensive lineman from smoking me.
“So I’m going to try to keep doing that and not take those hits because that’s the smart way to stay in football.”
