‘Disgusting’: US turns on NFL’s golden child in playoffs drama

NFL fans have turned on Patrick Mahomes after the superstar quarterback was at the centre of some fiery playoffs controversy.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have reached their seventh consecutive AFC championship game, but it came with plenty of controversy.

The Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 23-14 on Sunday (AEDT) to move one step closer to a third NFL championship in a row, and a fourth in six years.

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Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce produced a vintage performance in tandem with quarterback Mahomes to overpower a stubborn Texans line-up.

Kelce, 35, finished with 117 receiving yards from seven receptions while Mahomes threw for one touchdown with 177 passing yards.

Kelce’s girlfriend Taylor Swift was watching on from the VIP seats in the stands, sitting next to breakout WNBA star Caitlin Clark.

The Chiefs got off to a dream start when receiver Nikko Remigio weaved his way deep into Texans territory from the kick-off with a 63-yard return.

Taylor Swift talks with Caitlin Clark during the AFC Divisional Playoff between the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

But they were unable to cash in though and were forced to settle for a Harrison Butker field goal from 32 yards to take a 3-0 lead.

Houston was handed a 15-yard penalty late in the third quarter when Mahomes ran the ball and slid to the turf, as Texans teammates Henry To’oTo’o and Folorunso Fatukasi moved to tackle Mahomes but bumped heads with each other.

A flag was called and the referee ruled it a “ personal foul, unnecessary roughness, defence No. 39, 15-yard penalty”.

Troy Aikman said in commentary: “Come on. He’s a runner I could not disagree with that one more. He barely gets hit.

“They’ve got to address it in the offseason. You can’t as a quarterback, run around and play games with defenders and then be able to draw a penalty.

Watch the controversial penalty in the video above

This was ruled a penalty on the Houston defender. Photo: X.

ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk added: “There’s no forceful contact to the head-neck area. The two Houston players hit each other. That should not have been a foul.”

There was another controversial moment when Mahomes was gently pushed over the sideline and jumped into the air and fell to the ground to exaggerate the contact.

No penalty was called, but commentators and fans labelled it a blatant flop by Mahomes.

Mahomes flop, disgusting pic.twitter.com/4bTdGsphIA

— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) January 18, 2025

Mahomes should be penalized for that flop. This fourth quarter has been a complete farce.

— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) January 18, 2025

Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy said: “Mahomes, great player but this game is disgusting.

“The Texans already had two personal fouls that were not personal fouls and then he does the LeBron flop here. Are you kidding? I’m surprised the refs didn’t throw a flag.

“By the way, on the next play he throws an amazing touchdown pass. But I’ve lost a lot of respect for the Chiefs and 15 (Mahomes).

“He slows down and then flies. I’ve never hated the Chiefs, but seeing the way they played this game is such an affront to football and disgusting. They’re repulsive to me right now.”

Travis Kelce produced a vintage display. Photo: David Eulitt/Getty Images/AFP.

Despite the controversy, Mahomes proved why he’s the best clutch quarterback in the NFL.

The familiar Kelce-Mahomes double act sparked the Chiefs to the opening touchdown in the second quarter.

A short pass up the middle from Mahomes found Kelce who spun clear of the Texans defenders and surged away for a 49-yard gain that left Kansas City camped on the Houston six-yard line.

That led to a Kareem Hunt rushing touchdown from close range to put the Chiefs 13-3 up, before Fairbairn cut the deficit just before half-time with his second field goal.

The Texans should have drawn level in the third quarter after quarterback C.J. Stroud orchestrated a superb 15-play, 82-yard drive that burned more than 10 minutes off the clock and ended with running back Joe Mixon scampering into the end zone from 13 yards.

But Fairbairn missed the extra point to leave the Chiefs 13-12 ahead, and Mahomes made them pay on the next possession, finding Kelce in the end zone while off balance to help Kansas City take a 20-12 lead.

“I always tell our coaches, don’t get used to that,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who became just the fourth coach in NFL history to notch up 300 career wins.

“This is unreal. I tell the fans the same thing. We’re very lucky to have him here. The stuff he’s doing doesn’t happen. That’s why he’s the greatest at doing what he’s done”

Patrick Mahomes is on track to reach another Super Bowl. Photo: David Eulitt/Getty Images/AFP.

The divisional round victory at Arrowhead Stadium sends Kansas City into the AFC Championship game for a seventh straight season, where they will host either the Baltimore Ravens or the Buffalo Bills.

The Chiefs, who clinched back-to-back Super Bowls with their victory over San Francisco last year, are aiming to become the first team in history to win a hat-trick of NFL championships.

On Saturday’s evidence, few would bet against them advancing to next month’s showpiece in New Orleans after they once again demonstrated their uncanny knack of finding a way to win despite not firing on all cylinders.

In Sunday’s other NFL fixture, the Detroit Lions host the Washington Commanders for a place in the NFC Championship game.

With AFP

Originally published as ‘Disgusting’: US turns on NFL’s golden child in playoffs drama