NFL fans were quick to predict the league was rigging a Kansas City Chiefs win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game following the announcement on who would be the referee for the game. The San Francisco 49ers also drew a favorable referee for their matchup against the Detroit Lions.
NFL fans questioned the Divisional Round officiating
The comments come a day after Buffalo Bills claimed the league rigged the Chiefs’ win in the Divisional Round. Green Bay Packers fans cried foul on a few calls that went the 49ers’ way.
According to a statement by NFL Football Operations, Shawn Smith will be the referee for the Chiefs/ Ravens game. Clete Blakeman will officiate the Lions/49ers game.
Here are the @NFL Championship Weekend referee assignments. #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Ooy6FQJawV
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) January 22, 2024
The Chiefs have a 7-2 record under games refereed by Smith. The Ravens are 6-5 in games called by Smith. The Lions have a 1-5 record in games called by Blakeman since 2019. The 49ers are 4-0 with Blakeman during that span.
Fans call the Kansas City Chiefs and 49ers’ games “rigged”
Interestingly enough, the last game called for the Chiefs by Smith resulted in Kansas City losing to the Philadelphia Eagles this season. Blakeman refereed a Lions’ win against the Las Vegas Raiders this season.
However, many fans called the games rigged due to the referee assignments. Here are the best takes of fans claiming the 49ers and Chiefs are on their way to the Super Bowl.
Clete Blakeman reffing a Lions game to go to the Super Bowl… https://t.co/RoeceXKPX8 pic.twitter.com/IsUDDR14u1
— Pal Saolantonio (@KyleYourFriend) January 22, 2024
Clete Blakeman (packers fan) involved in a Lions playoff game is so nasty 😒 https://t.co/vzq6bTaP7H
— Lord Riley (@LJ3Carolina) January 22, 2024
Patrick Mahomes gonna get saved by the refs again, who would have guessed
— Joshua (@MuscleBearTTV) January 22, 2024
Referee assignments pic.twitter.com/wvxQcyZazo
— Bengals Doge (@Bengals_Doge) January 22, 2024
The @Lions pull Clete Blakeman for the NFC Championship game.
I don’t know whether or not to laugh or cry. Help. https://t.co/O2mezuWHnd
— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) January 22, 2024
so the game already rigged
— Chri$ (@ChrisWithTheW) January 22, 2024
We got stuck with Clete Blakeman 😐 pic.twitter.com/07JLz8h4dF
— Onepride Nation (@onepridenation) January 22, 2024
Related: Bill fans claim the Chiefs’ win was rigged
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