In the NFL, officiating decisions are always a hot topic, and the recent matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders has sparked fresh criticism over a possible bias toward Kansas City. The appointment of Adrian Hill, a referee known for frequently penalizing defensive players, has raised suspicions that the NFL seeks to protect Chiefs’ star Patrick Mahomes. These accusations have fueled the debate over the special treatment some believe Kansas City receives in their most important games.

The Ringer’s Warren Sharp was quick to point out the appointment of Hill as a calculated move by the league. According to Sharp, Hill leads the league in roughing-the-passer penalties, directly benefiting quarterbacks like Mahomes in critical games. In addition, Hill has a record of penalizing defenses for neutral-zone infractions and other calls, which, in close games, could favor an offensive team like the Chiefs. “This game was selected with a specific reason,” Sharp claimed, suggesting that the league intends to protect its star quarterback.

These suspicions have been echoed not only by analysts but also by players. During the preseason, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce made it clear that his team planned to put physical pressure on Mahomes, in a style reminiscent of the Detroit Pistons’ legendary toughness against Michael Jordan in the ’80s. Pierce even commented that his team would apply “Patrick Mahomes rules” to intimidate the Chiefs’ quarterback. This strategy appeared to aim at disrupting Mahomes’ focus and flow, but Hill’s assignment as referee might neutralize this approach.

Of course, this isn’t the first time the Chiefs have been accused of receiving penalty benefits. Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski recently remarked that Kansas City gets more support from the referees than the Patriots dynasty ever did. In an interview, Gronkowski joked that during his time, “we never got calls” in their favor, and he’s surprised by the number of favorable decisions Kansas City now receives. This sentiment seems shared by others, like Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who also hinted at possible officiating favoritism toward Kansas City in major games.

Despite the accusations and social media buzz, the statistics tell a different story. The Chiefs rank around the league average in penalties called on their opponents, sitting at 15th out of 32 teams. While the perception of favoritism toward Kansas City persists, the official numbers don’t reveal a significant difference. However, the choice of referees and key decisions during games are factors that will continue to stir controversy as Kansas City remains a top contender for the Super Bowl.