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The Kansas City Chiefs were aided by a pair of questionable penalties that went against Houston Texans defenders in Saturday’s 23-14 win. Both calls involved hits on quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Those flags extended Kansas City drives, each of which ended in points. The plays proved crucial as they prevented Houston from pulling off the upset.
In the first half, the Texans were flagged for roughing the passer on a third down stop. Instead of an incomplete pass and ensuing punt, the Chiefs retained possession. They’d later cash in with a field goal.
Here’s another look at the roughing the passer penalty Mahomes got. It does not look like helmet to helmet contact. pic.twitter.com/OqJwfypk5n
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 18, 2025
Referee Clay Martin, who was on the call for the playoff matchup, explained what he saw after the game. “I had forcible contact to the face mask area so I went with roughing the passer on that play,” Martin said.
Contact from defender Will Anderson seemed minimal. The flag was still thrown. It wasn’t the only time Patrick Mahomes would benefit from officiating.
In the second half, a slid very late while scrambling out of the pocket. That delayed reaction led to a pair of Houston tacklers hitting Mahomes as he fell to the ground. There wasn’t much the defense could do. Still, a flag was thrown.
Henry To’oTo’o was called for a penalty after this hit on Patrick Mahomes. #HOUvsKC | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/w4E4cSI3FF
— ESPN (@espn) January 18, 2025
Again, Clay Martin was asked about what he saw. Again, he defended the call.
“So, he slid, obviously, and when he slides, he is considered defenseless,” Martin said. “The onus is on the defender. I had forcible contact there to the hairline, to the helmet.”
Rather than a sack, the Chiefs were given a first down. They’d later score a touchdown to increase their lead to two scores.
Fans have grown furious with the way referees have called games involving Mahomes. To make matters worse, he’s leaned into the officiating by baiting refs with egregious flops.
Kansas City again benefitted from questionable calls in their latest playoff win. They may or may not have impacted the outcome of the game. Viewers have grown frustrated, but based on Clay Martin’s postgame responses, it doesn’t seem that much will change in the near future.