NFL fans had strong reactions to the way the game was called on Saturday in the Kansas City Chiefs‘ 27-19 win over the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium.
Some fans were already curious about the timeline of the Chiefs injury report in Week 16. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a mild high-ankle sprain in Kansas City’s 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
Patrick Mahomes healed from his injury quickly
Mahomes was a full participant in all three of the team’s light practices this week and was able to rehab in six days, an injury that usually takes weeks to heal. The two-time NFL MVP ran for a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and many fans believed Mahomes faked the severity of his injury during the week.
The Kansas City Chiefs benefited from a few calls on Saturday
On Saturday, the Chiefs benefited from a few favorable calls against the Texans. Rate the Refs App posted a video of a questionable play where a fumble returned for a touchdown was nixed because of a roughing the passer penalty.
Texans hit Mahomes as he throws and return the fumble for a touchdown. Refs rule this a forward pass and a roughing the passer flag so the Texans touchdown is taken off the board. pic.twitter.com/rZpOzYnoFF
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 21, 2024
The Chiefs were also helped with a few holding and pass interference calls that went against the Texans. Fixed Refs called one PI a “phantom” penalty.
@NFL #Refs Call Phantom Offensive PI on the #Texans to move them out of field goal range. #Rigged #RiggedRefs This game should be investigated for fraudulent referees. When does the #NFL get sued for fixing games? #Chiefs #NFL #RiggedLeague pic.twitter.com/jB2lTwgBjt
— Fixed Refs (@FixedRefs) December 21, 2024
NFL fans on social media complained about the calls, many of them claiming the league was rigging games in favor of Kansas City.
NFL fans are worried the league is rigging the games
“The refs are smart. They’ll call tiny penalties on KC that don’t really mean anything like a hold on special teams. But will call important penalties against their opponent. At the end of the game the penalties will be even but anyone that actually watches the game knows whats up,” wrote a fan.
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