Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes clarified that the controversial penalty calls during the team's Divisional Round victory over the Houston Texans do not suggest he receives special treatment from referees. In a media session, Mahomes expressed that he does not perceive any favoritism from the officials.

When questioned about whether he felt he received extra protection during the game, Mahomes responded, 'I don't feel that way.' He emphasized his focus on playing the game, stating, 'I just try to play football at the end of the day.' Mahomes acknowledged the efforts of the referees, noting, 'The referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and as proper as they can.'

In the matchup, the Texans were penalized eight times for a total of 82 yards, while the Chiefs faced four penalties totaling 29 yards. This uneven penalty count contributed to the Chiefs' 23-14 victory, which advanced them to their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game.