Former NFL Official Defends Controversial Patrick Mahomes Calls
A former senior NFL official says that referee Clay Martin did nothing wrong with those controversial Chiefs penalties.
The Kansas City Chiefs are currently riding high on their 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans, but their continuing hot streak is being married by accusations that NFL referees are basically helping QB Patrick Mahomes with penalties.
More News: Broncos' Patrick Surtain Calls Out Officiating Following Patrick Mahomes Call
The Chiefs' victory over the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round has ignited widespread debate, with much of the controversy centered around the officiating, specifically two major penalties on Texans defenders for hits on Mahomes.
The penalties in question were roughing the passer on Will Anderson Jr. and unnecessary roughness on Henry To'oTo'o, both of which played pivotal roles in the game.
During his weekly appearance on NFL Game Day on NFL Network, former NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson offered a detailed explanation of the calls, defending the officials' decisions.
The first penalty, a roughing the passer on Anderson, Anderson argued, was a straightforward and justified call. He explained that when a defender makes contact with a quarterback's head or helmet, especially in a face-to-face collision, it's nearly always flagged.
"When there's contact to the head of the quarterback, officials are going to call that," Anderson said. "That's the rule for this year."
He added that replay could only intervene if there was no helmet contact, but that wasn't the case here. The contact was deemed forcible, and with the rule in place this season, when in doubt, the referees are instructed to call roughing the passer, erring on the side of protection for the quarterback.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs points against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York.... Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs points against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. Al Bello/Getty ImagesThe second penalty, unnecessary roughness on Mahomes as he slid to the ground, also sparked confusion.
Although Texans defenders appeared to barely touch Mahomes, Anderson explained that the rules are clear: Once a quarterback slides, he is considered defenseless, and any contact to the head or helmet is a penalty.
"When No. 39 comes in and strikes the helmet of the quarterback who is already on the ground, that's a foul," Anderson stated.
He acknowledged that while it might "seem" like incidental contact, officials must make their judgment based on what they see in real-time, and in this case, the hit to Mahomes' helmet was enough to warrant the penalty. Replay would not have overturned it, as the rules on this matter are firm.
From the Texans' perspective, the calls were viewed as game-changing and unfair. Will Anderson Jr. expressed frustration after the loss, saying, "We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game."
The Texans, already facing an uphill battle against the defending Super Bowl champions, felt the officiating tilted the playing field even further.
The penalty on Anderson, which occurred on a third-and-8 incompletion from Mahomes, extended the Chiefs' drive and set up a field goal.
Later, the unnecessary roughness penalty, which resulted from a hit to Mahomes while he was sliding, contributed to a drive that culminated in a Travis Kelce touchdown. These two penalties, both 15 yards, loomed large in a game that the Texans lost 23-14.
Referee Clay Martin, explaining the roughing the passer call to pool reporter Aaron Wilson, stated that Anderson's hit involved forcible contact to Mahomes' facemask, which justified the penalty.
Martin also defended the unnecessary roughness flag, explaining that once Mahomes slid, he was considered a defenseless player, and any contact with his helmet warranted a penalty.
Martin clarified that even though the two Texans players collided with each other, the hit to Mahomes' helmet was what led to the call.
Despite these explanations, the Texans were vocal about their frustrations. "You can never leave it in the refs' hands," said Houston running back Joe Mixon, echoing a sentiment shared by many on the team.
Walt Anderson, however, emphasized that these types of penalties are part of the ongoing evolution of player safety in the NFL.
"The game is never going to be perfect, but we keep trying to make it better," Anderson said, acknowledging that there will always be gray areas in officiating.
More News:
Fans React to Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes Already Getting Bailed Out by Refs
Texans' Kris Boyd Explains What Led to Him Shoving Coach in Divisional Loss
For more on the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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