The Kansas City Chiefs have been accused of “rigging” their contest against the Atlanta Falcons after Patrick Mahomes was spotted talking to one of the referees pre-kick-off at the Mercedez-Benz Stadium on September 22.
The quarterback and his team emerged victorious in a tight 22-17 contest on Sunday that saw them improve their record to 3-0 despite a misfiring offense as they continue their quest to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
Now in command of the AFC West after the triumph, they look set to carry on marching forwards but there could be a scandal brewing as fans accuse them of trying to levy match officials in their favor.
It comes after the 29-year-old Mahomes was spotted talking to officials before the Week 3 game, despite conversations between players and referees being commonplace across the NFL to either grasp clarity on rules, or to simply talk because they know each other.
Nonetheless, critics of the Chiefs are far from impressed as they poured onto X.com, formerly Twitter, to let their feelings be known.
One user wrote, “Ready to cheat like always.”
A second added, “Another rigged game incoming.”
Whilst a third commented, “I don’t even think Tom Brady got this treatment.”
The fourth user even went as far as to claim Mahomes engaged in bribery by saying, “Dude slipped him a 20 lmao.”
Chiefs benefitting from controversial calls
So far, there is no evidence whatsoever that the Chiefs have managed to bribe or otherwise acquire the services of NFL officials unfairly, despite some controversial calls going in their favor.
In Week 1’s clash with the Baltimore Ravens, the referees permitted the Chiefs a timeout in the second quarter on the appeal of their defensive coordinator, although only Head Coach Andy Reid is permitted to call them. They went on to win 27-20.
Then a week later against the Cincinnati Bengals, the benefitted from a game-winning call when a Mahomes throw to Rashee Rice was incomplete but the officials called it a pass interference instead. Harrison Butker then kicked to win 26-25.
And against the Falcons a no-call against Kyle Pitts after a Kirk Cousins pass was made, despite Pitts coming under a lot of physical contact denying him the chance to make a play with the football.
A pass interference call would have set up first-and-goal chance for the Falcons to get back into the game in the dying embers, but the Chiefs won by five points and improved to 3-0 for the season.
