Chiefs scored a few plays later
The Kansas City Chiefs received a favorable call late in the first half of the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
On 3rd-and-5 with 3:13 left in the second quarter, Patrick Mahomes scrambled and found just enough space to throw up a ball to Xavier Worthy. The rookie wide receiver and Bills safety Cole Bishop both leaped for the ball. It appeared Bishop may have gotten the ball while he was in the air, but Worthy managed to get his arm around it as they came down the ground.
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Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy works for a catch against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of the AFC Championship, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The officials ruled that Worthy had completed the catch, and it was the Chiefs’ ball instead of an interception for the Bills. Buffalo was also called for a holding penalty, so it was unlikely the ball would have gone back to them.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott challenged whether it was a completed catch. The replay appeared to show the tip of the football hitting the ground. But still, the play was ruled a catch.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A few plays later, the Chiefs scored on a Patrick Mahomes touchdown run. Kansas City had a 21-10 lead.
NFL fans were quick to point out that the questionable call went in the favor of the Chiefs.
MAHOMES THROWING IT UP TO XAVIER WORTHY 😳
— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2025
📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/mB3IP5ltXL
Even though this ball hit the ground and neither player had complete possession the refs rule that this was a catch by Xavier Worthy. pic.twitter.com/VuCbWzA6tH
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 27, 2025
Even though this ball CLEARLY hit the ground and neither player had complete possession the refs rule that this was a catch by Xavier Worthy.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 27, 2025
The Chiefs 🤝 The Refspic.twitter.com/hDMOoLq6xt
So Romo and everyone can see it Move
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 27, 2025
But the refs and replay center don’t see it?
Well, it’s the Chiefs 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/3xzbnKeRgL
At what point did Xavier Worthy possess the ball?
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 27, 2025
REFS not leaving any doubt today.
— Kelly (@kellyinvegas) January 27, 2025
Should this have been a catch?!?! It looks like neither Xavier Worthy nor Cole Bishop has complete possession of the ball when it hits the ground. Neither player completes the process of a catch
— Dalton Feely (@dfeely14) January 27, 2025
Chiefs might've been bailed out again... pic.twitter.com/plMUirMQsU
Mahomes got bailed out
— Sleeper Picks (@SleeperPicksHQ) January 27, 2025
NFL officials’ alleged favoritism toward the Chiefs was in the spotlight over questionable calls in their divisional round win over the Houston Texans.
Mahomes was asked about the alleged favoritism during the week.
"I don’t feel that way," he said. "… I just try to play football at the end of the day. The referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and proper as best they can.
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"For me, it's go out there, play hard, try to do whatever I can to win the football game and then live with the results based on my effort and how I play the game, and that's what we preach here in Kansas City."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
