NFL Sanctions Patrick Mahomes’ Teammates as Texans Players Avoid Punishment for Hitting Chiefs QB

The Texans vs. Chiefs divisional game last week left people talking, and not just about the football. It’s been a week of controversy, with fans, players, and analysts all weighing in on the game’s questionable moments. The Texans had a bone to pick with the refs, as many called out what they felt were biased calls in favor of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. It wasn’t just the Texans either. Other teams and fans on social media voiced their frustrations about the way the refs officiated the game. While refs helping the Chiefs continues to be fans’ favorite conspiracy theory, two Chiefs players have found themselves punished by the NFL.

So here’s the scoop: first up, safety Bryan Cook has been fined $8,443  for Unnecessary Roughness after a hip-drop tackle in the first quarter against the Texans. Not exactly the best way to start the game. That’s the price you pay for making a questionable move, right? Then, Justin Reid, the newly minted father (congrats to him, by the way!), also got dinged with a $14,069 fine for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. His offense? A ‘violent gesture’ in the fourth quarter that didn’t sit well with the NFL. You can almost picture Reid trying to cool off with a newborn at home while dealing with the fine on top of it all.

It’s been raining babies in the Chiefs Kingdom lately! First, Patrick and Brittany Mahomes welcomed their third child together on January 12th. And now,  Justin Reid and his girlfriend, Marissa Rand, have joined the club. Marissa shared the pregnancy news back in October at a Chiefs game, holding up a sign that read, “Justin I’m pregnant.” A few days later, the couple let everyone know they were expecting a baby girl.

Anyway, back to the fine book. The Texans vs.Chiefs game was full of officiating controversy. But what’s surprising is that the Texans players flagged by the refs during the game somehow managed to skip the fine book this week. Is it an encrypted message from the NFL?

Texans players avoid fines after hitting Patrick Mahomes

“We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game,” said Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. And he’s not alone in feeling that way. Fans have made it a running joke this season. And a popular conspiracy theory among fans is that the refs are somehow giving the Chiefs a little extra help. Fans have flooded social media with memes, joking that refs would call the state police if someone touched Patrick Mahomes. But won’t flag the Chiefs for a dirty play. It’s all fun and games until people start throwing out accusations like NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell secretly helping the Chiefs.

During the Texans game, the refs made their presence felt, flagging two Texans players for calls that had fans scratching their heads. First up, Will Anderson Jr., the Texans’ edge rusher, got tagged for roughing the passer after what seemed like a low-contact push to Mahomes’ chest. It extended the Chiefs’ drive, and they walked away with a field goal. 

Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any stranger, linebacker Henry To’oTo’o got hit with unnecessary roughness for a questionable play in the fourth quarter. He made contact with Mahomes near the neck as Mahomes slid down late. And boom, penalty flag. That one pushed the Chiefs deep into Houston’s territory. And what do you know, they ended up with a touchdown. Makes you wonder if the refs were just having an off day… or something else entirely!

Even after all those questionable calls, both Anderson and To’oTo’o didn’t end up on the fine list this week. Kind of strange, right? After the refs flagged them like that, you’d expect some fines to follow. But nothing. Makes you wonder if it’s an indirect apology or admittance of sorts.

Could the refs be giving the Chiefs a little extra help? It’s hard not to buy into the whole “refs favoring Mahomes” thing when stuff like this happens. Maybe it’s all coincidence, but it sure makes you raise an eyebrow. Perhaps even both eyebrows.