The Kansas City Chiefs’ dream of a historic three-peat is still alive, but their AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills wasn’t without controversy.
Several calls from referee Clete Blakeman went in favour of the Chiefs, with fans dubbing it one of the ‘worst officiated games in NFL history’.
But it hasn’t stopped the father of NFL superstar and Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes from rubbing the salt into the Bills’ wound with a cheeky social media message.
Posting on X, the senior Mahomes said: “Today is a great day to not be from Buffalo,” a remark that didn’t go down too well with the Bills fans, who have been on the end of several beatings by the Chiefs in recent years.
It’s the fourth time in five years the Bills have been beaten by the Chiefs in the post-season, whereas for two consecutive seasons, the Kansas City team have sent Buffalo packing.
But given the manner of this defeat, it no doubt hurt even more.
One moment of controversy surrounded Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who with 13 minutes on the clock with the scoreboard in favour of the Buffalo-based outfit.
They drove the ball to the Chiefs’ 41-yard line with a fourth-down play, and with Allen only needing a yard to gain, he took the snap from center Connor McGovern, with the MVP contender appearing to get his body over the line.
The officiating team disagreed, claiming they were instead short of the line and despite replays appearing to show the quarterback had made it, the referees confirmed the ruling would stand upon review.
Earlier in the match, the Bills were on the end of a bizarre decision that gave the Chiefs a gain, even though the ball appeared to hit the floor.
Mahomes took the snap before picking out rookie receiver Xavier Worthy, who contested the catch against Bills safety Cole Bishop, with the ball looking like it eventually hit the floor after a mid-air tussle.
A lengthy review followed, with the decision going the way of the Chiefs. Three plays later Mahomes was scrambling into the end zone to complete a touchdown.
Despite the controversial circumstances surrounding the victory, Andy Reid’s side will contest Super Bowl LIX on 9 February in New Orleans, Louisiana against the Philadelphia Eagles.
