SaulGoodman

And there it is…rules expert Anderson explains that both were called correctly. The rules might suck, but calling it by the books isn’t evidence of a fix or favoritism.

KC had 131 return yds, plus 20ish yds subtracted on an intentional safety. Both teams had 9 possessions, but only 6 of KC's were actually "drives." One was the safety, another was a kneel-down at the end of the 1st half, and the first possession started at the 13 after the long kick return. So the Chiefs basically scored 3.3 points per drive and averaged around 40 yds per drive. Texans averaged 1.5 points per drive and slightly over 40 yds per drive.

I’d say I’m pretty respectful. Even when I’m insulted by someone, I generally don’t respond with an insult. Again, if it agitates you for someone to disagree with a very subjective and conspiratorial narrative, maybe I’m not the problem.

No, I didn’t say that. If it agitates you for someone to offer a factual counter argument to “NFL’s fixing every Chiefs game,” then maybe your KC hatred is reaching unhealthy levels.

I’m explaining what happened. I don’t care what Collinsworth says. I’m a weird freak for bringing some facts into the hate party. Lol. Okay. Hate on.

You could argue that almost every minute spent on any message board is a waste of time. But if it’s interesting or entertaining to you, I’d argue it’s not a waste of time. I wouldn’t expect fans of 31 fanbases to change their minds. At least you admit that bias plays a huge part in the perception. That’s enough for me.

No, what makes sense is that there was a national uproar from fans/media after Collinsworth bitched about Taylor in game 1 last year. This led to the NFL relentlessly targeting him beginning in week 2.

But it’s not “loser stuff” to blame every single KC win on officiating? Lol. Wow.

Again, he’s been penalized MUCH more than in Jacksonville, and it started immediately after he joined the Chiefs. Somehow, in haters’ minds, an immediate dramatic increase in penalty rate indicates favoritism for KC. Please make it make sense. Your own Dion Dawkins is known for the same kick step. Let me guess…he never gets away with a penalty? Or just 80% less than Taylor? And you know this because you study every snap of both payers. If we’re being honest, we all know there are numerous penalties that go uncalled in every.single.game. Technically there’s holding on almost every snap. To expect imperfect/inconsistent refs to be perfect when officiating KC is ridiculous. We also know that armchair refs aren’t as knowledgeable about rules as trained officials and rules experts.

Of course, and it’s not hard to fathom why. Difference is, I have facts to support my takes. The other side can only point to the occasional call or missed call, which can be done for any team. But the microscope isn’t pointed toward other teams, is it? Um…if one literally thought that NFL games were scripted and rigged, and it enraged them to the point of continual blowups…why would that person continue to religiously support and fork over money for a “fake” and illegitimate product? That’s no different than following WWE. Actually worse, because people only follow WWE for the entertainment value of goofy promotions and trash talk.

No, they weren’t warned. Reid specifically mentioned that. "Very disappointed that it ended the way it did," Reid said. "Normally I'll get -- I never use any of this as excuses, but normally I get a warning before something like that happens in a big game. (It's) a bit embarrassing in the National Football League for that to take place… "I've been in the league a long time and I haven't had one like that. So, not where, at least in that kind of position there where it is not given a heads up to."

Who’s denying that KC benefits from questionable calls now and then? Definitely not me. But you realize that an iffy call here and there isn’t proof of a conspiracy, right? Yep. How many of them rage about it being scripted, but keep coming back? Lol.

So we’re only talking about alleged bad calls? Then why did people freak out in 22 after a late hit two yds out of bounds and a defensive hold in which the defender grabbed a handful of jersey? Which was defended by rules experts. Aside from a few iffy personal fouls yesterday (which led to a grand total of three points), what are all the blatantly bad calls that have helped KC in big games? I’m not the one claiming conspiracy. I’m saying that plenty of impactful calls go against KC. I’m not looking for sympathy. But you’re kind of helping to prove my point. Every team can complain about calls/no-calls. Was there a conspiracy to help every team that held Jerry Hughes? No, just KC. There are questionable or missed calls in every single NFL game, and everyone knows this. But if KC benefits from a call, there’s an undeniable conspiracy. Come on, people.

The “record with such and such officials” stuff is silly. He has a great record with pretty much any ref. I think it’s ridiculous to claim that if a b2b champ and winners of 22 of the last 23 (not including the game in which starters sat) wins again, it’s proof of a fix. But people need a reason to justify their KC hate and they found one. Is what it is. Of course, when questionable or game-changing calls go their team’s way, those calls were obvious and correct and “nothing to see here.”

Yep. And what really pisses people off about this is that they thought they were finally done with a team dominating the NFL (NE), then another team immediately replaced them. I get it. But KC fans were very loyal and supportive through decades of heartbreak and frustration. To hear people talk incessantly about “Chiefs fatigue” after they finally broke through for a 5-6 year stretch is kinda annoying. Just like it would be to Bills fans if everybody were whining about Bills fatigue after they finally broke through and won a few SBs.

Totally disagree on the Toney thing. That play led to numerous viral screenshots of players around the league doing the same with no call. It happens all the time. Toney himself had been lining up the same way all game and they chose to only call that one. First offense offside of Reid’s 30ish year career. Every time Mahomes sees a flag for Offside, he treats it as a free play and throws it up for grabs. Do people think the refs are psychic and throw the flag knowing an INT is coming? Chris Jones is held constantly and it’s rarely called. Taylor’s been targeted relentlessly since he joined KC. Far more so than in Jax. Which is a great example of how biased perceptions influence these narratives. Nobody talked about Taylor’s habits whatsoever until he joined the Chiefs. Somehow, a player getting targeted immediately after joining a new team became evidence that said team was favored by officials. KC was absolutely hosed by officiating in two huge games (2020 SB and 2018 AFCC). Both of which ruined otherwise amazing seasons. So I don’t think KC fans need to feel guilty if a few iffy calls go their way, especially against a Texans team they’d have beaten anyway.

I think refs aren’t perfect and a few iffy calls went KC’s way. I’ve seen a lot of iffy calls go the other way over the years, but no one ever seems to mention those for some reason. I’ve mentioned this before, but Mahomes has far more TDs erased by penalty than any other QB since he’s been in the league. KC was the only team to have a TD negated by penalty last postseason and it happened twice. KC’s been among the most-penalized teams in the league in the Mahomes era, and they’re nearly always near the top in the most critical penalties (offensive holding, DPI, etc). And an ESPN writer found that the team with the most late/close-game flags this year was KC. The facts don’t support the conspiracy theory. Every team gets iffy calls/no-calls. Every one. If people think the league is literally scripted…..why even watch? I sure as hell won’t watch WWE.

Just looking at the last two regular season matchups, there was an offensive hold on KC’s last possession. Before that, a PI that gave the Bills a new set of downs on a 3rd down play. Offensive holding that killed KC’s previous drive. And of course, the extremely rare offensive offside call that just happened to erase a potential game-winning play. Just a few off the top of my head. What are the late/important calls that have gone against the Bills vs KC?

So why is it that the Bills seem to get the late/important calls vs KC?

I can remember some crucial calls that went Buffalo’s way vs KC, but what are examples of the opposite?

The rumors of Mahomes' demise were greatly exaggerated...

Wash at worst? Rice was on pace for 1600 yds, and he’s much more explosive. But I do think Hopkins is going to have a big role in the postseason.

What makes you think they’re overconfident? I’m genuinely curious. I haven’t followed what they’ve said.

I definitely will be. I expect to be dragged off to a reeducation camp for my thought crimes any day now!

Tough call. I think Baltimore’s actually underrated by many. They might be playing better than anyone in the league recently, and their defense has really turned it around. They look like a complete team. On the other hand, Flowers is banged up, and KC generally contains Lamar well. They’ve owned Baltimore in general. In the playoffs, it often comes down to QB play, and Allen’s been the better postseason QB. So I’d probably rather draw Baltimore.