NFL fans fume at ‘rigged’ Chiefs game as Texans coach DeMeco Ryans speaks out

Patrick Mahomes benefitted from some controversial decisions made in Saturday’s playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, and ‘#Rigged’ began trending on X as NFL fans reacted.  The Chiefs beat the Texans 23-14 and will therefore advance to the AFC Championship game for the seventh consecutive season, but fans accused the officials of protecting Mahomes throughout. Even Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game: “We knew going into this game that it was us versus everybody. And I mean everybody.”

Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. also called out the officials, telling reporters: “We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game.” The Texans were flagged twice for personal fouls on the Chiefs quarterback, the second call sparking the most controversy as Mahomes slid late following a run and received minor contact from Houston linebacker Henry To’oTo’o.

ESPN color commentator Troy Aikman was heard shouting “Oh come on” when the flag was thrown, and fans sided with his confusion. “He’s a runner and I could not disagree with that [call] more,” Aikman said on the ESPN broadcast. “Barely gets hit, that’s the second penalty now that’s been called against the Texans.”  Russell Yurk, ESPN rules analyst, seconded Aikman’s statement, as he replied: “Hey, Troy, I agree with you. There’s no forcible contact to the head and neck area.”

Former NFL star JJ Watt was also baffled, posting on X: “They hit each other!!! Cmonnnn man.” Even one of Mahomes’ former teammates, LeSean McCoy, compared the quarterback to ‘baby Jesus’ as he wrote: “GREAT CALL REF….yall trippin ain’t no you can hit BABY JESUS. LETS GO PATTY.”  The professionals agreed that the Chiefs and Mahomes were fortunate during the game, and fans have now claimed that the NFL is ‘rigged’ when Kansas City is involved. “I’m glad I’m not a Houston Texans fan because it sure looks like the NFL is really pulling for the Chiefs here,” one fan wrote.

“Oh, come on! I mean, he’s a runner. I could not disagree with that one more. He barely gets hit.” – Troy Aikman

“The two Houston players hit each other. That should not have been a foul.” – Russell Yurk

“They’ve gotta address it in the offseason…” – Aikman 🏈🎙️🦓 #NFL https://t.co/vXj2v7VTKg pic.twitter.com/QioQ5IQwhg

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 18, 2025

“Most NFL fans hate the Chiefs and it’s not because they win, but how they win,” another added. “Unwatchable at this point. You know it’s bad when the commentators are both calling it out,” one fan claimed. “Saw that “#rigged” was trending and thought to myself, ‘the Chiefs must be playing.’ AND I WAS RIGHT!” One fan joked.

While the Chiefs may have won anyway despite the controversial calls, a damning stat showcases just how unfortunate the Texans were to lose. Per ESPN stats, the Texans are the first team to out-gain their opponent by 100+ yards (336-212), not turn the ball over, and lose a postseason game. Previous teams were 49-0 in the playoffs.  The Chiefs are now just two wins away from becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three-straight NFL championships. Kansas City will face either the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game, with that game set to be determined on Sunday night.