Football fans are already convinced that the Kansas City Chiefs-Buffalo Bills AFC Championship Game is “rigged” following several suspicious calls by Clete Blakeman’s crew.
One of the top storylines coming into the AFC Championship Game was how the officials would perform. The Chiefs were the beneficiary of several terrible calls in last week’s Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans, including a pair of “Roughing the Passer” calls drawn by Patrick Mahomes.
Well, the officials didn’t need much time to again take over the spotlight this evening. For starters, Bills corner Kaair Elam was penalized for a facemask on Chiefs wideout Xavier Worthy…when both men really committed the infraction:
Elam called for a face mask here against Brown. 15 yard penalty after the catch by Worthy. pic.twitter.com/PlXce7VQ7K
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 27, 2025
Additionally, it looked like the Chiefs got away with several block in the back calls during Nikko Remigio’s 41-yard punt return to set up his team’s third touchdown of the game:
🚨🚨AWFUL MISSED CALLS🚨🚨
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 27, 2025
THE REFS MISSED MULTIPLE BLOCKS IN THE BACK PENALTIES ON THE #CHIEFS' MAJOR PUNT RETURN.
A COMPLETE GAME-CHANGER, SETTING UP KC TO SCORE POINTS.
WOW…pic.twitter.com/ZUL4tl3kfc
The performance of the refs in the first half has fans convinced that the refs are “rigging” the AFC Championship Game for the home team.
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“These refs need to be hauled into Congress for a hearing. #rigged,” said one fan.
These refs need to be hauled into Congress for a hearing. #rigged
— Laconic Mark (@Bacon_Ranch_) January 27, 2025
“That’s what happens when you play the Chiefs,” said another.
That’s what happens when you play the Chiefs
— Terps Recruiting (@TerpRecruiting) January 27, 2025
“Both guys holding facemask…could only see one…and it’s not the Chiefs guy!,” quipped a fan.
Both guys holding facemask…could only see one…and it's not the Chiefs guy!
— Random Vox (@XRandomVox) January 27, 2025
“Game is over ref’s call the game for KC,” wrote another.
Game is over ref’s call the game for KC
— Mr Poppy (@JamesMccul63801) January 27, 2025
“holy rigged,” a fan remarked.
holy rigged
— 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝟑.𝟎 🫧 (@positionsmafiaa) January 27, 2025
“Officials are a joke!,” said a fan.
Officials are a joke!
— Preston (@49ersPreston) January 27, 2025
AFC Championship Game Hasn’t Disappointed So Far
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have brought their respective A-games to Arrowhead Stadium, alright. The AFC title game between the two rivals has not at all disappointed, with both teams laying it all out there.
