Patrick Mahomes roughing the passer, explained: Why Texans were flagged for controversial penalty vs. Chiefs

Daniel Chavkin

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Patrick Mahomes roughing the passer, explained: Why Texans were flagged for controversial penalty vs. Chiefs image

In the first quarter of the Chiefs 2025 playoff opener against the Texans, there was already a controversial call that went their way.

Kansas City was facing a 3rd-and-8 in their own territory when Mahomes threw an incomplete pass intended for Travis Kelce. However, Texans' pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. was called for roughing the passer on the play, which allowed the Chiefs to extend the drive.

As a result, Kansas City was able to get a field goal on the drive to take a 6-3 lead early in the game. However, the penalty itself didn't seem to be a clear-cut call.

Here's a look at what happened when the Chiefs got a break on their second drive.

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Patrick Mahomes roughing the passer, explained

Will Anderson Jr. beat the Chiefs offensive line and had a free rush toward Mahomes on 3rd-and-8. However, referee Clay Martin called Anderson for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Mahomes, leading to an automatic first down.

MORE: Why NFL fans are upset about Clay Martin crew reffing Texans-Chiefs game

When ESPN showed the replay, it appeared that Anderson's helmet actually hit Mahomes' chest first before the quarterback's helmet, meaning it may have been a miss by the officials. Either way, there was clearly some contact around the head-and-neck area of Mahomes, and the refs must have thought that was enough to warrant the flag.

While the play stood, many fans were not happy with the call.

The Chiefs were allowed to continue their drive, and they advanced all the way inside the red zone. That is when Houston's defense stiffened up and held the Chiefs to a field-goal attempt.

If those three points end up making a difference in the game, though, that call will be considered a pivotal moment in an otherwise defensive struggle.

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Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.