In the world of the NFL, few topics spark as much debate as officiating, especially when it comes to powerhouse teams like the Kansas City Chiefs. As the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs have established themselves as one of the most dominant teams in the league. However, with success comes scrutiny, and many fans—especially those from rival teams—believe Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs benefit from favorable officiating.

This debate recently resurfaced after the Houston Texans expressed frustration over calls in their recent matchup against Kansas City. Texans players and fans alike felt that Mahomes and his team received preferential treatment from the officials, fueling a narrative that has followed the Chiefs for years.

But is there any truth to this claim? Do the Chiefs actually get more calls in their favor, or is this simply a case of recency bias and selective memory? Let’s break it down.

Mahomes Responds to the Accusations

Following the Texans’ complaints, Patrick Mahomes was asked directly whether he felt his team got more calls than others. His response was measured and professional:

“I don’t feel that way. At the end of the day, the referees are doing the best they can to call the game as fair and as proper as they possibly can. All we can do is go out there and play the game that we love as hard as we can and live with the results.”

Mahomes emphasized that officiating is unpredictable and changes from game to game, making it impossible to definitively say whether a team benefits from calls in the long run.

“You get new referees every year, you get new circumstances—you can never really tell because every play is different. That’s what makes the NFL so special.”

Mahomes’ comments highlight the unpredictable nature of officiating, but statistics tell a more detailed story.

Breaking Down the Numbers: Are the Chiefs Really Benefiting?

If the Chiefs were truly the recipients of preferential treatment, we would expect to see Patrick Mahomes drawing significantly more roughing-the-passer penalties than other quarterbacks. However, the data tells a very different story:

Roughing the Passer Calls Per 100 Pass Attempts

Patrick Mahomes – 63%
Russell Wilson – 71%
Baker Mayfield – 73%
Kirk Cousins – 74%
Deshaun Watson – 78%
Jared Goff – 78%
Josh Allen – 94%

Surprisingly, Mahomes is near the bottom of this list, meaning he actually receives fewer roughing-the-passer calls than many of his peers. In fact, Josh Allen, Jared Goff, and Deshaun Watson are among quarterbacks who get flagged for protection at a higher rate than Mahomes.

Furthermore, while some fans believe the Chiefs as a team get fewer penalties called against them, another important statistic tells a different story:

Most Penalized Offensive Lines in the NFL (2023-24 Season)

Kansas City Chiefs – Top 3 in offensive holding penalties
New York Jets
Chicago Bears

One of the biggest offenders? Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who has been penalized 14 times this season alone.

Clearly, if the Chiefs were getting all the calls in their favor, their offensive line wouldn’t be one of the most penalized in the league.

The Real Issue: High-Profile Calls at Crucial Moments

So, if the Chiefs aren’t getting the most calls overall, why does the perception persist that they receive favoritism?

The answer likely lies in when and where these controversial calls occur.

Former NFL players and analysts agree that while the Chiefs don’t necessarily get more calls overall, the calls they do receive tend to come at critical moments.

“The few calls that they do get—it always happens in very important times in the game.”

When a crucial pass interference or roughing-the-passer call extends a game-winning drive or negates a turnover, it sticks in fans’ minds far more than a routine holding penalty in the first quarter.

This was especially evident in last year’s Super Bowl when James Bradberry was called for a holding penalty late in the fourth quarter against JuJu Smith-Schuster. The call gave Kansas City a fresh set of downs and helped them secure the win.

After the game, Bradberry himself admitted that the penalty was legitimate:

“I held him. I was hoping they wouldn’t see it.”

Yet, despite Bradberry’s own acknowledgment, many fans still argue the call shouldn’t have been made.

Mahomes’ Gamesmanship: Is He Exploiting the Rules?

Another factor contributing to the perception that Mahomes gets special treatment is his ability to manipulate the game within the rules.

Sliding Late: Mahomes has been accused of intentionally sliding late to draw unnecessary roughness penalties.
Flopping on Hits: Some believe he exaggerates contact to sell roughing-the-passer calls.
Slowing Down Before Stepping Out of Bounds: He sometimes hesitates near the sideline, forcing defenders to either hold back (risking extra yards) or make contact (risking a flag).

Analysts have pointed out that other quarterbacks have tried similar tactics, but Mahomes is particularly effective at forcing defenders into no-win situations.

Lions coach Dan Campbell once addressed this strategy, warning his defenders:

“If he’s in bounds and slows down, blast him. If he’s standing upright, knock his shoes off.”

It’s clear that Mahomes is simply taking advantage of the rules, much like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have done in the past. While this frustrates fans, it’s part of what makes great quarterbacks so difficult to defend.

The Chiefs Are the New Patriots

At the end of the day, the Chiefs are dealing with the same scrutiny the New England Patriots faced during their dynasty years.

They are constantly on TV.
They are always in the playoffs.
They keep winning.

When a team dominates for multiple seasons, frustration from opposing fans naturally builds. People don’t just dislike dominant teams—they look for reasons to justify their dislike.

Former players and analysts have acknowledged that much of the controversy surrounding the Chiefs is rooted in fatigue. The same way people got tired of seeing Brady and Belichick win, they are now tired of Mahomes and Andy Reid’s success.

Conclusion: Do the Chiefs Get Favorable Calls?

The numbers don’t support the idea that Mahomes and the Chiefs receive an unusual amount of favorable calls. In fact, their offensive line is among the most penalized in the league, and Mahomes gets fewer roughing-the-passer calls than many other quarterbacks.

However, the timing of certain calls has created a lasting perception that Kansas City gets the benefit of the doubt. The truth is, winning teams will always be scrutinized, and as long as Mahomes continues to dominate, the argument isn’t going away anytime soon.

Whether you love them or hate them, one thing is certain: The Chiefs are here to stay.