REPORT: NFL Makes Final Decision On Officiating Controversy From Chiefs-Texans Divisional Round Game

Patrick Mahomes and a ref talkingPatrick Mahomes and a ref (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
It hasn’t quite been 24 hours yet, and fans continue to criticize the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC divisional-round game against the Houston Texans.

Referee Clay Martin’s crew have been getting blasted for two crucial calls that changed the outcome of the game.

Officiating was a major talking point coming out of Saturday’s game, especially regarding roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness penalties assessed against the Texans when they were pursuing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Houston edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was called for roughing the passer in the first quarter and got flagged.

The second penalty came during a Mahomes scramble in the third quarter, where Mahomes had two blockers on a run and three defenders bearing down on him. Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o hit the Chiefs quarterback around the neck as he slid.

To’oTo’o was called for unnecessary roughness.

In the aftermath, NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson appeared on NFL GameDay and discussed those two calls in particular and he made it clear that the league is sticking by what those refs called on those plays.

Ultimately, he suggested the officials got the calls right.

“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.”

Houston Texans Cry Foul On Chiefs Getting Favorable Calls

The calls against the Texans came early and often.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. was whistled for a roughing the passer infraction, which led to the Chiefs scoring three points.

The second penalty involving Mahomes led to a touchdown.

After the game, DeMeco Ryans, Will Anderson, CJ Stroud, and many others criticized the officiating.