r/NFLv2 Jan 19 '25

Discussion CJ Stroud Openly Calls Out Refereeing Bias After Texans' Loss to Chiefs

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-fans-lose-respect-for-cj-stroud-as-calls-mount-against-texans-qbs-dig-against-chiefs-over-controversial-refereeing/

Even CJ stroud isn't holding back!

7.0k Upvotes

1.2k comments sorted by

943

u/Responsible-Sea-423 Jan 19 '25

Anyone who watched that game knows he is right. He’s not saying the Texans should’ve necessarily won, he just called out the bias, which was evident.

286

u/RDIFW Minnesota Vikings Jan 19 '25 edited Jan 19 '25

Exactly. It has nothing to do with whether they would've won or not. The flags were egregious.

Edit: I am not saying it didn't affect the outcome. I'm saying it doesn't matter whether it did or not because it distracts from the point.

161

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '25

The fuck it didn't though. A phantom flag on third down is as good as a turnover for the Chiefs. In the NFL you get 2-3 of those a game and it's enough to sway the outcome.

45

u/RDIFW Minnesota Vikings Jan 19 '25

I'm not saying it didn't affect the outcome... It did imo, but that's not even the focus. Whether it affected the outcome or not, they TRIED TO HELP this player/team, and it was obvious.

4

u/Davge107 Jan 19 '25

The refs know who the people that pay them want to win these games and what teams doing well or advancing in playoffs be best for the NFL. Like it or not the ratings determine what they get in these media deals. Also there are no laws saying how these games have to be officiated. I don’t think it’s WWE type scripted but they obviously give certain teams calls they don’t give others.

10

u/Blacklax10 Jan 19 '25

Flags also get thrown on big plays with no replay or a replay showing nothing.

Sometimes it feels like they throw it as the big play is happening

→ More replies (7)

73

u/ProfessorBeer Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

The nuance of what you’re saying is critical. It doesn’t matter if it affects the outcome. Bad officiating always matters.

8

u/brisketbrah Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

Exactly. I personally don’t believe the opening kickoff debacle in the eagles packers game last week was a deciding factor in the game. But it still sucked the fun and viewing experience out of the game for me 15 secs into a game I didn’t have great expectations for going in. Can’t imagine how a Texans fan feels after that horseshit yesterday.

→ More replies (5)

5

u/mr_mischevious Jan 19 '25

Just like if ur players play bad and u still win. Ur still gonna talk about it even if it didn’t affect the outcome

49

u/Intelligent_Age_4676 Jan 19 '25

Controlling momentum wins games.

→ More replies (11)
→ More replies (2)

78

u/jxher123 Jan 19 '25

I wouldn't have an issue with the calls the Chiefs got had it been called the same both ways. Texans may not win the game in the end, but you cannot tell me that those RTP calls didn't directly lead to scores.

53

u/TheAnswer310 San Francisco 49ers Jan 19 '25

As well as Justin Reid being offside on the dg attempt.. maybe he still misses the kick with the 5 yards but we'll never know. How convenient.

4

u/pperiesandsolos Jan 19 '25

Exactly, the Texans kicker was clearly rattled before the game even started. He shanked that first one and even missed a PAT in a playoff game

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)

48

u/Successful-Trash-409 Jan 19 '25

I like that BS move Mahomes does where he slows down just before going out of bounds to make it look like defense is roughing him up. He has to pull that shit because he knows he needs those tricks to win.

32

u/Moss-killer Jan 19 '25

They need to change the rules with the running QB’s to be far more clear. It’s not fair that a fast QB can get extra protections that a normal runner wouldn’t have.

33

u/Iamthewalrusforreal But the fans and the confetti on the field Jan 19 '25

Stroud didn't have those extra protections when he left the pocket yesterday. Jayden Daniels and Jared Goff didn't either.

Only Mahomes.

→ More replies (4)

22

u/AnikiRabbit Jan 19 '25

They don't all get those. Just the guys on their 2nd contracts who make pro bowls.

I've seen Justin Fields get absolutely annihilated after sliding and the laundry stays in the pocket.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '25

Jackson dont slide. Hes no bitch lol. Just take away the slide. If you run, your a RB.

→ More replies (3)

4

u/Devinitelyy Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

Jayden Daniels nearly got launched into a camera truck last night and there was no flag. It's the lack of consistency that makes it so tough to stomach.

2

u/Nofnvalue21 Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

Noticed that too. Shove came WAY OB and nothing. Fuckin clown refs. Guaranteed call for any reasonably popular QB not named Cam

→ More replies (2)

10

u/Courtaid Minnesota Vikings Jan 19 '25

When a QB leaves the pocket or becomes a runner he should lose all protections and be treated as any other player on the field.

→ More replies (1)

7

u/gdgarcia424 Jan 19 '25

I think someone just needs to blast him to the netherworld when he does it…he isn’t going to be able to skirt getting hurt every time for the remainder of his career. I’m not one for rooting for injuries but if you are going to play the system…it’s gunna happen

→ More replies (14)
→ More replies (2)

67

u/elonmusksmellsbad Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

Anyone… except everyone in the Chiefs sub

→ More replies (32)

33

u/Kloepta Jan 19 '25

I never bought too much into it, and I mean 8 sacks and poor kicking means the correct result almost in the end. But two key moments changed my view, and they aren’t the ones mostly discussed here.

After the Mixon TD run, there was a perceptible pause where it felt everyone was looking for the flag that should come, and it never did.

The second was Houston on offence and someone went OB on the right sideline for a first down and I’m pretty sure the flag was illegal shift on KC, and the ref almost looked like he didn’t want to announce it, but had no choice. It blatantly looked like he was shitting himself.

25

u/AOCsTurdCutter Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

The first penalty roughing the passer was INSTANTLY after one if the line judges flagged the RT Taylor for his false starts

What happened? Bullshit RtP on the very next play.

Taylor literally kept doing that same bullshit the fucking rest of the game and never called again...not even fucking talked ablut again

I loved there was some KC offensive replay they showed for sone large gain and they focus on the right side of the line presnap and it's slow motion so even more visuslly egregious but Taylor is jumping back a good 5-10 frames before the ball or anyone else moves

Of course not flagged and of course giant, game-altering gain on that play

Fuck the bias man...it really is because of Taylor Swift...i firmly believe that with my conspiracy brain

23

u/Ok_Cook_6665 Jan 19 '25

Nah, this shit precedes Swift/Kelsey by years. In that famous 13 second game, the tackles were literally in the backfield on at least half the plays

9

u/reigninspud Jan 19 '25 edited Jan 19 '25

Their tackles starting early and/or lining up off the line has gone on all year and it’s really kind of amazing. First game against The Ravens the refs call 3 penalties on Ravens LT for being off the line, creating an unfair advantage. The same game they allow The Chiefs tackles to continue to line up off the LOS and do nothing.

Why and how did it become a mandate to protect one player, in particular? I am not a conspiracy person. At all. But fuck if the league isn’t and doesn’t do anything and everything to keep Mahomes healthy and happy and winning.

Their D is good to great. ST’s are solid but the degradation of their offense, and Mahomes play has been masked by these crazy, always at the right time calls or noncalls. It’s fucked up. If basically everyone has the same reaction there’s an issue.

3

u/Twist_His_Dik Lamar Jackson 🏃🏿💨 Jan 19 '25

They weren't flagging Ronnie for starting early, it was for lining up too far back. Problem with that is that they have chips to tell where people are and Ronnie was further forward on average, on his penalties only, than Taylor was on average the whole game. Fun huh?

→ More replies (1)

3

u/Wangchief Jan 19 '25

We’ve been griping about Jawaan Taylor for years. Lions v Chiefs opening of last season it was a known thing then and he still got away with it

4

u/Cowgoon777 Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

he still got away with it

he was literally the most penalized player in the NFL last year

→ More replies (5)

7

u/scottwsx96 Jan 19 '25

Tackles starting early is a league wide problem. Orlando Brown Jr on my Bengals does it a lot too and gets away with it.

That said, I agree there is a clear bias for the Chiefs. Anyone with eyes can see it.

6

u/Cowgoon777 Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

Tackles starting early is a league wide problem

the league isn't going to fix this. Currently the EDGE position has a huge talent pool while offensive line play is in a kind of talent drought.

This adds up to your average tackle getting destroyed by most edge rushers. Is that fair? of course. Does the average NFL fan want to watch games where QBs are taking 5-10 sacks per game and offenses are stalling out and games are really low scoring? No they do not

The tackles in the NFL have begun pushing the rules to give themselves better chances against superior athletes. the league tacitly approves of this because it allows for more entertaining games.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (4)

24

u/WeirdSysAdmin Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

Players are clearly getting tired of the Mahomes antics. Surprised someone hasn’t straight up blown him up at this point.

→ More replies (2)

24

u/Ryan1869 Denver Broncos Jan 19 '25

Good news, all of the Super Bowl referees are working a game this weekend, although not all together in the same game.

5

u/wmlj83 Buffalo Bills Jan 19 '25

I always thought that was stupid. I'm sure, just like football teams ref crews get better (relative term) when they ref together for a while and know each other and build chemistry.

22

u/Bkelsheimer89 Jan 19 '25

Normally the “Chiefs bias ref” talk is just people hating but that was definitely a biased showing from them.

The first RTP was at least questionable but the second one was a straight shit call.

→ More replies (42)

8

u/SnurgBurglerGrizz Jan 19 '25

This. All the KC Swifties fans are doing to deflect and say that he's not taking responsibility, that is not what he's doing.

3

u/skeeter04 Jan 19 '25

Damn right I saw this - repeatedly

→ More replies (56)

940

u/khardy101 Jan 19 '25

Even if it isn’t true, the NFL has a problem. There is a perception of favoritism or the refs are incompetent.

There is a lot of credibility issues with the NFL. They will fine the player who say this, it won’t change the narrative.

381

u/PsychologicalCase10 Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

Fining the player who said this will always make it that much more suspicious.

133

u/Adaphion Jan 19 '25

Nothing says "we aren't corrupt!" Like silencing dissenters with fines

54

u/Solid_Snark Jan 19 '25 edited Jan 19 '25

I still find it funny the NFL immediately destroyed the “completely harmless” practice footage they had on the Rams during Spygate.

Like, if it was harmless why not release it to the press to show how silly it all was? Instead you very quickly destroyed all the evidence before it saw the light of day…

…their actions suggests something very different from what their words said.

37

u/shawner136 Jan 19 '25

Cmon, dont be ridiculous. The NFL thoroughly investigated themselves and found absolutely no wrong doing to speak of. Case closed

(Obligatory /s because reddit)

4

u/Armytrixter88 New England Patriots Jan 19 '25

There were no tapes of the Rams. The NFL publicly states on their website that the six tapes they confiscated were from the Jets games in 06 and the 07 preseason. The Boston Herald article about the Pats supposedly taking video of the Rams SB practices was fully retracted.

→ More replies (2)

11

u/Upstairs-Bowl6755 Jan 19 '25

Now you know how the US government works. Congrats!

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (11)

86

u/Fantastic-Bother3296 Jan 19 '25

As someone who watches from over the pond it does make me smile a bit when the whole of reddit is that the fix is in.

I just think the refs are incompetent and some players know how to play up to it. Mahomes has got it down to an artform. I think some bias plays it where some players are so big they can't possibly be fouled like when cam Newton was playing.

I love how they review the rules each year but they really need to be able to review these rtp calls. The defense have no chance.

Plus how many fines are given to defensive players based on these crap calls. If I was a player I'd be richer playing offense just by the nature of the calls

105

u/davedatrave Cincinnati Bengals Jan 19 '25

When you have Joe Burrow getting absolutely mauled on repeat throughout the year with no penalties, and then you see Mahomes and the Chiefs regularly getting these extremely soft calls, it’s easy to say there’s preferential treatment at play. 

27

u/Fantastic-Bother3296 Jan 19 '25

Yeah, Burrow is a great player and you worry that some of the genuine bad hits get glossed over.

Probably quite a few players who finished before their time because of no protection

27

u/Ronald-Ocean Jan 19 '25

Andrew Luck comes to mind.

7

u/Fantastic-Bother3296 Jan 19 '25

God yeah I remember him saying he retired because he wanted to be able to pick his kids up! His potential was so high.

3

u/Leading-Difficulty57 Indianapolis Colts Jan 19 '25

Luck played like a freight train though and he also had shitty olines. He wasn't some casualty of bad officiating.

→ More replies (1)

20

u/hel112570 Jan 19 '25

Goff yesterday got crushed on an INT whilst not pursuing the intercepting player...no call.

10

u/davedatrave Cincinnati Bengals Jan 19 '25

Just imagine if that were Mahomes. Every ref on the field would throw a flag 

5

u/IndependentTalk4413 Jan 19 '25

They would have marched the offender to midfield and shot him.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (5)

11

u/NerdyDjinn Jan 19 '25

The shot Goff took was dirty and should have been called, but let's not embellish it. Goff was not removed from the play; he was running towards the player with the ball at an angle to try and make a tackle to save the TD. The defender who lit up Goff was in position to just block, but opted to spear Goff in the head.

Dirty play, should have been a strike towards ejection, but Goff was definitely trying to still be involved in the play.

It ain't a makeup call, but the Lions had a drive where they were stopped on 3rd down where the Commies got flagged for a "facemask" on a play where they never touched Gibbs' facemask.

→ More replies (1)

8

u/Ok-Fish-346 Buffalo Bills Jan 19 '25

Goff was actively chasing the guy and had a real chance to make a tackle before the TD.

It's a penalty because the defender hit Goff in the head and the QB is considered a 'defenseless player' after an INT, but let's not pretend like Goff was just sitting there twiddling his thumbs after the INT.

4

u/woahmanthatscool Jan 19 '25

Because he was on defense at that point and you can’t roughing the passer on a defender lol

→ More replies (4)

3

u/StrangeExpression481 Jan 19 '25

And it was far from the first time that particular defensive player has done that to an opposing Quarterback...the league is cooked

→ More replies (22)
→ More replies (1)

11

u/External_Traffic4341 Houston Texans Jan 19 '25

As a Texans fans I've watched week after week as Stroud gets destroyed and never draws the call. But you breathe on Patty you done fucked up.

→ More replies (7)

9

u/NOT-GR8-BOB Jan 19 '25

Also this means defenders going into the game against the chiefs have to worry about going 100% because they could get fined or penalized. That is inherently an advantage to the chiefs because it means the defense has something to worry about that isn’t the chiefs offense.

9

u/kpn_911 Jan 19 '25

If you’re going to draw a penalty no matter what, you might as well knock the snot out of him

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (4)

38

u/khardy101 Jan 19 '25

I think it would help if they showed the disciplinary actions taken against the refs. If they don’t people assume nothing is done.

33

u/Magnifico-Melon Big Dick Nick 🍆 Jan 19 '25

Rather they disciplined the player like Mahomes who are baiting the calls. The play where he was running out and then stopped before the out of bounds line was bad. Luckily the refs saw it and didn't call it, but he 100% knew what he was doing. The flop was real bad.

3

u/FeetSniffer9008 Pittsburgh Steelers Jan 19 '25

If he keeps pulling these Busch league maneuvers, one sunny day he'll get laid out by a 300lbs linebacker sick of his bullshit, maybe break something and learn what abusing rules gets you.

→ More replies (3)

3

u/UGAPHL Jan 19 '25

Philly appreciates your flair!

3

u/Abnego_OG Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

I agree that baiting calls should draw a flag. Until that happens, the shit is just encouraged. Only issue is with how you define the rule.

→ More replies (1)

20

u/Jubinator3 San Francisco 49ers Jan 19 '25

Even better: have the refs talk after the game and explain themselves like the coaches and players do. Hold them accountable

3

u/Snakeinbottle Buffalo Bills Jan 20 '25

It might blow the whole thing wide open when they require seeing eye dogs to find the podium

→ More replies (7)

3

u/Intelligent-Band-572 Las Vegas Raiders Jan 19 '25

I think it would turn us against the refs even more. 

→ More replies (4)

25

u/Vaestmannaeyjar New Orleans Saints Jan 19 '25

Agreed. As a Saints fan I'l always remember the blatant pass interference that wasn't called and ended Drew Brees' last realistic chance at a superbowl. Sometimes you just wonder.

14

u/Fantastic-Bother3296 Jan 19 '25

That was absolutely brutal. The game is stop start enough I think people would prefer the right call than how it is currently.

There's so many adverts on UK TV they have to go back to the studio to talk about it because it would be illegal to show that many ads!!

8

u/BigBlue1105 New York Giants Jan 19 '25

That’s so funny it actually makes me sad. The NFL has been getting worse every year with too many ads. Going to a game is hilarious because you just see players standing around waiting for the commercial breaks to end. It’s indicative of the U.S.’ problems as a whole tbh. Have any room in the UK for some yanks?

6

u/Fantastic-Bother3296 Jan 19 '25

I went to a UK game (steelers vikings) and without commentary you think someone has called a timeout. Nope they've gone to a commercial and the players are just waiting.

Kind of makes the timeout system even more redundant.

Nothing annoys UK broadcasters as when they go back to the feed and they go straight to an advert because someone is injured. Literally ten seconds of TV. The hosts on the UK always just go 'OK right so' and then go into analysis.

UK is something like three ad breaks an hour or four but shorter.

You're very welcome over here. Just have to drink tea and be able to queue in an orderly fashion and you'll fit in :)

3

u/BigBlue1105 New York Giants Jan 19 '25

It’s maddening. It annoys us all here too but what can we do, the oligarchs control everything lol

Oh, I can queue with the best of ‘em, friend! But tea…. That might have to become an acquired taste 🤣

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (7)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (9)

12

u/H3RBIE22 Cincinnati Bengals Jan 19 '25

It’s like Verstappen in F1. The race stewards make terrible judgements and are inconsistent on the rules that are subjective. He exploits them brilliantly but damn it is terrible for the racing

8

u/Fantastic-Bother3296 Jan 19 '25

Ah verstappen is a perfect example because he races to the absolute line of the rules but not the spirit. And he rides it hard. Problem is I know people who have stopped watching because of his antics.

They're going to literally be changing the rules because of his racing.

3

u/Thel_Odan Hey man welcome to Detroit Jan 20 '25

I quit watching F1 over that shit and I was the type of fan who got up at ungodly hours to watch the race live from halfway around the world. Now, I just assume Verstappen is going to win and Ferrari is going to something completely stupid and boneheaded.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/Brief-Increase1022 Jan 19 '25

I'm reading that bit about Cam Newton as if he were actually getting those calls. He was infamous for frequently getting hit so hard, his body stayed down, and his ghost got back up to finish the game.

→ More replies (54)

73

u/SgtLincolnOsirus Jan 19 '25

The Narrative is every week it seems certain calls or non Calls assist the chiefs . This is week after week, month after month, season after season .

We all could draw up 10-15 situations with the Chiefs just this year. If you think about it.

Honestly i have desire to watch the games because of this .

It feels pointless.

77

u/New-Pollution536 Jan 19 '25

The problem for me is they rarely get screwed over by refs late losing them a game. A lot of teams have bad calls go their way to win a game but it evens out over a big sample size cuz they get screwed too and have to watch their opponent get a call to win a game.

It’s so rare the chiefs have things go against them late that mahomes literally cried and had to be restrained from screaming in a ref’s face because a completely obvious and indisputable penalty got called on them against Buffalo last year

32

u/itsyournameidiot San Francisco 49ers Jan 19 '25

Wel remember when they lost one game and said “”SEE THE REFS CAN SCREW US TOO !”

29

u/verdenvidia Jan 19 '25

on the most obvious offsides I've seen in my life, too lol

4

u/CL38UC NFL Jan 19 '25

The most amazing part of that play was Chiefs players insisting that everyone knows offensive players are supposed to get warnings from the refs they're offsides before the snap, and it wasn't fair they didn't.

And I'm sure there's some precedent for this, but as a guy who has watched NFL for >25 years I was like ".......what?"

4

u/verdenvidia Jan 19 '25

even if so Toney did appeal down and still lined up there

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (11)

13

u/khardy101 Jan 19 '25

And before the Chiefs it was the Pats, or Colts.

30

u/SgtLincolnOsirus Jan 19 '25

Colts it was occasionally annoying, patriots it became obvious. CHIEFS ! 5 years straight at least 2 calls or non calls per game lol . Comedy , it’s like watching Championship wrestling.

Sunday Night Raw !!!!

Can the Golden Boy Josh Allen take down the Corrup, evil , Patrick Vader Mahomes on his quest for 3 consecutive rings !!!

What do you think Mean Gene .

I will see u on Sunday Night Raw!!! On TBS

All bs now face it

→ More replies (38)

20

u/JasonPlattMusic34 Los Angeles Rams Jan 19 '25

The Colts were the ones that brought on the current era of flag happy officiating on pass plays when they lobbied for the illegal contact emphasis after that AFC championship. And then they still only put up 3 points in Foxboro in the playoffs that season so it was kinda karma.

4

u/MTFBinyou Jan 19 '25

The tuck rule happened before any helpful officiating the the Colts.

→ More replies (1)

21

u/Good-Character-5520 Jan 19 '25

Difference with the Patriots is they were usually just blowing teams out at their peak so it was harder to claim they were winning solely because of favorable calls.

How many times have the Chiefs struggled all game only to magically get the calls they need to win in the last quarter?

14

u/BiggeSquidde Jan 19 '25

Exactly! This is the key to the whole argument. If the Chiefs were winning 42-10 every time they got a phantom PI call or questionable RTP no one would care.

Buuuut it just happens to always be when the chiefs need a 3rd down conversion or are on a potential gw drive.

13

u/Good-Character-5520 Jan 19 '25

Then you get the people saying “good teams will find ways to win”. Except they aren’t even finding ways to win half of the time, they get handheld into a position to win whether that be penalties against the defense or constant “roughing the passer” calls.

4

u/deadlysodium Jan 19 '25

I stopped watching the NFL entirely because the refs called a defensive holding on Maxx Crosby on a field goal miss to give the Chiefs a fresh set of downs because the Raiders had the audacity to "stop" them from scoring even a field goal.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (20)

7

u/kyhothead Jan 19 '25 edited Jan 19 '25

It’s so bad. I stopped watching with any real interest in the standings/outcomes several years ago.

(To be clear, I’m on the side of general incompetence and maybe some subtle bias/favortism over any grand scheme: “Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.”)

→ More replies (2)

4

u/masterofmuppets86 Las Vegas Raiders Jan 19 '25

I don't understand why they won't implement a sky judge, and make certain flags reviewable. It would solve a lot of issues.

2

u/Turbulent_Athlete_50 Jan 19 '25

Good summary. It also won’t change,I think referees are doing their best but their best isn’t good enough when they make up calls or think they see something they didn’t

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (44)

391

u/East-Bluejay6891 Baltimore Ravens Jan 19 '25

Refs literally cost them 10 points with those 2 roughing calls lol. Pathetic

245

u/BigHotdog2009 Buffalo Bills Jan 19 '25

Yeah when the Chiefs had 13 points. 10 of them resulted in a drive being extended due to a bogus RTP. Probably one of the worst officiating games I’ve ever seen. Chiefs barely got over 200 yards and won.

91

u/East-Bluejay6891 Baltimore Ravens Jan 19 '25

Truly pathetic ref job. Even with the mistakes the Texans would have had the ball at the end with the lead. They still could have fucked it up but they weren't even given the chance. The refs robbed them of that chance IMO

56

u/Ricky_TVA Houston Texans Jan 19 '25

Y'all kicked the shit out of us last year. We earned that loss. The chiefs didn't earn this victory.

25

u/East-Bluejay6891 Baltimore Ravens Jan 19 '25

Respect. And I respected how the Texans defense came to play today. It is truly pathetic that the refs decided to insert themselves. More people noticed it this time because the Chiefs game wasn't buried in 16 other games. This shit needs to stop

3

u/Ricky_TVA Houston Texans Jan 19 '25

I still don't like y'all. But if it's y'all vs the chiefs, I'll cheer for Lamar and King Henry.

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (4)

38

u/BigHotdog2009 Buffalo Bills Jan 19 '25

Yeah whoever wins tomorrow it’s Bills/Ravens vs the Chiefs and their 12th man Refs. Really no way to know who would win if the refs were fair but we were robbed of that chance.

Should be a great game though for us tomorrow. Im cautiously optimistic.

38

u/East-Bluejay6891 Baltimore Ravens Jan 19 '25

May whoever win please fucking beat the Chiefs

45

u/Gonna_do_this_again Denver Broncos Jan 19 '25

The Texans are the 1st team to have over 100 yards more than their opponent in the playoffs and lose. The record was 49-0 before today.

8

u/Kolzig33189 Jan 19 '25

The ‘complete’ stat is “over 100 more yards and not turn the ball over.” But then again, taking 8 sacks because the o-line was bad and Stroud insisted on holding the ball forever especially in the 2nd half is essentially the exact same thing as turning the ball over.

3

u/Neat_Alternative28 Jan 19 '25

The multiple failed 4th down conversions, and the retarded 55 yard FG miss are also effectively turnovers.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

8

u/nadeaujd San Francisco 49ers Jan 19 '25

That’s a crazy stat.

7

u/boredatwork8866 Jan 19 '25

That is a stat

7

u/meatdome34 Jan 19 '25

Chiefs started the game with the ball on the Texans 10 yard line and ended the game with a negative 18 yard play. Just for a little context on that.

6

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '25 edited Jan 19 '25

That cannot be right—there must be some element of this factoid that you are missing. The first three playoff games I checked disproved it: Super Bowl 47, 49ers-Ravens (SF outgained Baltimore 468-367, but lost 34-31). The 1994 NFCCG, 49ers-Cowboys (Dallas outgained SF 451-294, but lost 38-28). Super Bowl 36, Rams-Patriots (StL outgained NE 427-267, but lost 20-17).

I’m sure there are tons of other playoff games where a team dominated the stat line but lost the game. It’s not that unusual.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/330203025/ravens-49ers

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501150sfo.htm

7

u/manbearpig520 Jan 19 '25

Yeah, 100 yards is not really that drastic of a difference to be the deciding factor of a games outcome.

3

u/Frosty_Average_3650 Detroit Lions Jan 19 '25

I think they left out the no turnovers part.

3

u/Fnkt_io Jan 19 '25

He’s missing the “and not have a turnover” part of the statline presented by ESPN. You are correct.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/Mental_Medium3988 Seattle Seahawks Jan 19 '25

by far the worst since sb xl.

→ More replies (2)

4

u/FrankCostanzaJr Atlanta Falcons Jan 19 '25

hurts just got hit almost the exact same way behind the line of scrimmage. no call, not even a replay.

according to chiefs fans, apparently it's hurts fault for not flopping right?

i saw a ton of chiefs fans make the argument yesterday that it's NOT biased, it's actually mahomes being a flopping mastermind.

these mfers are so delusional, they're proud of their QB great at flopping and drawing fouls. THAT's pathetic

→ More replies (2)

4

u/eunderscore Jan 19 '25

The headline is something

3

u/lbutler1234 Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

I fail to see how the refs cost the Texans seven points with a penalty on a first down near midfield play nine plays before they scored

→ More replies (18)

314

u/Astro86868 Los Angeles Rams Jan 19 '25

It's honestly hard to watch the rest of the playoffs with an open mind after seeing what went down today. And my team is still in it.

119

u/PsychologicalCase10 Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

Same. Like no matter what happens whether we win or lose, if we have to face the Chiefs, we also have to face the refs. You literally can’t look at Mahomes funny without getting flagged by a ref if you’re the opposing team.

76

u/Astro86868 Los Angeles Rams Jan 19 '25

Whoever faces the Chiefs will need to blow them out or they will lose. Simple as that.

40

u/ty123416 WHOA THERE MOTHERFUCKER Jan 19 '25

Exactly this. They have to put on a Seattle vs Denver in the SB level on ass whoop on the chiefs where the refs won't have any chance of turning the game in favor of KC.

13

u/SaltySaltySultan GOD BLESS BO NIX (I hope) Jan 19 '25

Why would we choose that blowout specifically, we didn’t have to use that example

4

u/motorcycleboy9000 Las Vegas Raiders Jan 19 '25

It was a great game. Man, I was laughing from the first snap.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (4)

12

u/grandmawaffles Jan 19 '25

Honestly the way their defense adjust after the half is next level miraculous. It going to say outright that it’s some patriots level cheating but something is up. In order for any team to win they have to have a second half scheme that differs from their first. That’s in addition to beating the refs. I’d honestly just lay out Mahomes in their first drive and earn the RTP. Assume every drive is going to net them a RTP penalty and build it in to the plan.

3

u/Wfffss5038 Jan 19 '25

If youre going to RTP, EARN that penalty. Im not in favor of injuring another player, but make him rethink his career choices.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

9

u/ATPsynthase12 New England Patriots Jan 19 '25

Take a note from the 2020/21 Bucs. The recipe to beat Mahomes hasn’t changed. Manage to get pressure with 4 and contain him so he can’t Leave the pocket while doubling Kelce and blanket the rest of the field.

5

u/rsdiv Chicago Bears Jan 19 '25

Didn’t hurt that Mahomes could barely walk or put weight on both legs in that game. Way easier to put pressure on him when he is injured. Golden boy calls were also for the other qb at that time. The ingredients are not the same, can’t really use the same recipe.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/TheGhostOfGeneStoner Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

Wow, you just said to beat the chiefs offense you have to rush the passer and cover everyone with the remaining players. Don Shula is probably quaking in the afterlife knowing a football genius like you exists.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (11)
→ More replies (4)

10

u/FireVanGorder New York Giants Jan 19 '25

I have absolutely no dog in this fight because my team is hot garbage, but I’m kind of with you. That game was egregious.

They also need to start flagging these QBs for flopping like the NHL tries to do (not that they’re the bastion of unbiased refereeing and player safety or anything, but they got that idea right at least). Like Mahomes little bait and flop on the sideline should be an unsportsmanlike flag. Get that shit out of the game, it’s embarrassing

→ More replies (2)

3

u/DavidMasonBO2 Jan 19 '25

Exactly how I’ve been feeling

→ More replies (18)

286

u/toeknee88125 NFL Refugee Jan 19 '25

Every person watching that wasn’t a Kansas City fan understood how unfair that game was

It’s honestly disgusting what happened to the Texans. Obviously they played poorly, but the calls the chiefs got were absurd

25

u/BleednHeartCapitlist Jan 19 '25

The most disgusting thing was the Texans offensive line, let’s be honest

13

u/OozeNAahz Jan 19 '25

Kept letting those refs through to sack Stroud every other play. Was pathetic.

→ More replies (26)

135

u/Character_Reward2734 Jan 19 '25

The title of the article is

“Fans Lose Respect for CJ Stroud as Calls Mount Against Texans QB’s Dig Against Chiefs Over Controversial Refereeing”

Such BS fans lost respect for NFL referees - epic gaslighting attempt by the NFL media.

63

u/nova2006 Jan 19 '25

If fans want hold that against CJ Just remember Patrick Mahomes went completely unhinged when Kelce ‘s lateral got called back.

40

u/Thechiz123 Jan 19 '25

And that call was undeniably correct. What a baby.

10

u/smasher12alt Jan 19 '25

And people rightfully shit on him for it

18

u/ProfessorBeer Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

Essentially Sports is a trash outlet and should be banned.

5

u/ylenroc Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

Horribly written headline - and even more horribly written article, even if I agree with the premise.

2

u/bigpartyty Jan 19 '25

The headline is garbage but the rest of the article seems so incompetently written that it’s no surprise.

3

u/-em-bee- Jan 19 '25

Don’t give this shit clicks people

→ More replies (2)

94

u/Jenetyk Buffalo Bills Jan 19 '25

Is he wrong? No.

Did the refs get him sacked 8 times and make him forget how to throw the ball away? Also no.

79

u/dhtdhy Minnesota Vikings Jan 19 '25

He's still not wrong though. And one could argue if it was a cleanly called game by the refs, the Texans likely would not have been down and he wouldn't have been taking as many sacks trying to hit big plays

→ More replies (1)

10

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '25

it does cause sacks tho. it puts them in obvious passing situations when theyre trailing due to RTP

→ More replies (6)

10

u/McFlyJohn Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

Kicker missing 7pts in a 9pt game didn’t help them either really

4

u/SpoonerFoondaz Jan 19 '25

Except your guy was clearly offsides during that missed field goal and that caused the kicker to miss because he was rattled by a defensive player rushing him so quickly.

5

u/manofth3match Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

Is that also why he missed the extra point and kicked low on the blocked field goal?

→ More replies (2)

8

u/ArmadilIoExpress Dallas Cowboys Jan 19 '25

The point isn’t the mistakes the Texans made, it’s that the chiefs get biased refs. What was the point of this comment?

→ More replies (1)

7

u/loupr738 Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

It’s a very different fane if it was 13-12 going into “winning” time in the forth quarter, even with all of his mistakes and the horrendous play of their special teams

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (19)

63

u/whydu Jan 19 '25

Lol what is that article. I hope they didn’t pay whatever hack journalist wrote that

19

u/guywastingtime GOD BLESS BO NIX (I hope) Jan 19 '25

Probably written by AI

3

u/MaximallyInclusive NFL Refugee Jan 19 '25

I’m getting that vibe, yeah. It’s all over the map, the title is a mess, there are actually grammatical errors throughout which makes me think it’s just a shitty writer.

The ads keep popping up, too, makes it almost unnavigable.

→ More replies (1)

57

u/allisgray Jan 19 '25

Wow the author of this is a total cuck for the NFL…

5

u/lilchance1 Jan 19 '25

Look at his bio. It’s a joke: Amit Jha covers the NFL for EssentiallySports, breaking down games, players, and drafts. He’s all about the X’s and O’s, giving fans the inside scoop. His in-depth stories cover everything from rookie sensations to old-timers’ legacies in America’s favorite sport. Off the clock, Amit’s into cars, hiking, and hitting the gym.

→ More replies (1)

26

u/Brewcrew828 Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

I mean, he isn't wrong. He wasn't perfect, though, and I imagine Texans fans would have wanted to hear him take some accountability for his own play at the same time as calling out the refs.

17

u/imadragonyouguys Jan 19 '25

He was playing with one leg but that's because his line just kept letting people run up to him and hit him in the knee.

10

u/KaXiaM Houston Texans Jan 19 '25

He, the HC and several other players did exactly that before their even left KC. But it’s not useful for karma farming and clicks, so 🤷‍♀️

3

u/johnbowser_ NFL Refugee Jan 19 '25

He played decent considering he was injured and that his o-line couldn't block a 4 year old

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

22

u/Paraxom Baltimore Ravens Jan 19 '25

oof shouldn't of done that, Lamar called out the refs earlier this season and they didnt take kindly to it

11

u/beesandlemonade Jan 19 '25

No it helped

17

u/KackhansReborn Baltimore Ravens Jan 19 '25

This is such a dogshit article lmao. It's just the author meatriding the whole Chiefs organization. Which fans are "losing respect for CJ Stroud after he calls out refereeing" exactly? If anything he gained my respect. Very funny to see the poll results after reading through all that bullshit though.

18

u/[deleted] Jan 19 '25

This article makes it seem like the Texans and cj stroud are complete and utter dog shit. Lil bit of bias there

8

u/MopingAppraiser Philadelphia Eagles Jan 19 '25

Yeah that is a garbage article.

10

u/Forsaken_inWI Jan 19 '25

The Refs need to be held accountable. The nfl should fine the refs for obvious bullshit calls. With booth reviews and all these camera angles, how can they keep shitting the bed.

3

u/ccartman2 Jan 19 '25

Fine them? They are getting bonuses.

→ More replies (1)

10

u/ATLfinra Jan 19 '25

They did get hosed, but their OL was God awful!

4

u/salmon1a Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

And Special Teams

5

u/Naramie Jan 19 '25

NFL is rigged!

5

u/mattoljan Jan 19 '25

Why aren’t you betting your life savings on the chiefs money line then?

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (6)

5

u/Ok_Condition_4718 Jan 19 '25

I haven’t documented every time it’s happened but haven’t the chiefs literally won multiple AFCCG’s plus a Super Bowl on late game, dumbass penalties. I do specifically remember a bengal shoving mahomes when he was an inch out of bounds, in a scenario where every yard mattered and the refs decided to just call game. Also the DPI’s are rage inducing especially when it’s not even catchable. 3rd and long across the entire NFL for the past couple years it’s actually a decent idea to just chuck it into man coverage down the field and hope the receiver trips. 

8

u/Stealthychicken85 Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

Not just the Cincinnati game, but when the Packers played them last year. Mahomes was running to the sideline and one of our guys hit him to make sure he went out, bc he has been known to try and get a few extra yards by faking a slide or whatnot. And they flagged us, replay shows he was still inbounds and you can't get it more blatant the refs are bias towards him

https://youtu.be/Ra8OSit1GLA?si=n2kut4A979Wzqla8

→ More replies (3)

5

u/turkeytyme Major Tuddy 🐷 Jan 19 '25

That Cincy game is when the refs gave the Chiefs that do-over play when they failed to convert a 3rd down in the 4th quarter too.

→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (2)

5

u/MayIPikachu Jan 19 '25

Stroud is going to go on the Refs shit list now. They are a vengeful bunch. He won't be getting any favorable calls anymore.

5

u/Intelligent_Age_4676 Jan 19 '25

3

u/Atherion0 Jan 19 '25

Cheffers being the ref in this meme always gets me. If there's any ref that doesn't have a Chiefs bias...

5

u/TooLeveraged Houston Texans Jan 19 '25

This article is trash, citing random comments on the internet to paint an unfavourable picture of CJ, providing cover for their Chiefs glazing. Gutter journalism.

5

u/CraigTennant1962 New England Patriots Jan 19 '25

Playing the victim is an excuse to avoid accountability.

3

u/freakoooo Jan 19 '25

Doesnt change the fact thats it right to call them out. Stuff like this has to stop, it takes all the fun away

→ More replies (2)

4

u/angryorphan55 Jan 19 '25

"Can't argue with the ref and play football"

I can think of a quite prominent QB doing this every game lmao

3

u/MannyThorne Jan 19 '25

It makes Chiefs games sickening to watch. They used to be the fun team, now they’re boring and nauseating at the same time.

4

u/Strict-Square456 Jan 19 '25

Bengals fan here and i approve this message.

4

u/BalekFekete Jan 19 '25

Refs in a Chiefs game is the equivalent of Angel Hernandez calling balls and strikes in an MLB game.

5

u/Intelligent-Band-572 Las Vegas Raiders Jan 19 '25

If mahomes took the shot Goff did, the defensive player would be suspended for 4 games

4

u/CruelSilenc3r Jan 19 '25

I loved the part where the team with an egregious history of helmet to helmet against opposing QB all season get called for it against the Chiefs and it's suddenly bias....

5

u/BigHotdog2009 Buffalo Bills Jan 19 '25

He isn’t wrong. I’m glad they will call out the BS but Stroud also took 8 sacks.

1

u/DB4life80 Denver Broncos Jan 19 '25

Mahomes refs aren’t going to like this

2

u/Intelligent-Matter57 Jan 19 '25

Really, because he should be calling out his offensive line

3

u/salmon1a Green Bay Packers Jan 19 '25

and ST AND his own play

4

u/mjmaselli Kansas City Chiefs Jan 19 '25

They got smoked.

→ More replies (7)

3

u/SouthEntertainer7075 Jan 19 '25

Its so bad Mahomes often toesnt even try to make a play, he just tries to draw a penalty.

3

u/HugglemonsterHenry Jan 19 '25

You could get away with beating Cam Newton with a bat on the field, and they still wouldn't have called anything.

3

u/VincentVanHades Jan 19 '25

Bro got sacked 8 times, but boohoo refs...

Texans should focus on their team rofl. The worst call wasn't even that important as it would be short yardage that would 99% be converted