It’s been a popular conspiracy theory among NFL fans across the country; the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs always seem to receive the most beneficiary penalties. There’s just one problem with that theory, however: It’s not necessarily true!
Last season, the Chiefs ranked 12th of the 32 teams in total penalties received. If the conspiracy means that Kansas City gets all the calls from a quantitive standpoint, even that doesn’t check out since they’d have to be first overall in the league getting calls against them. As just mentioned, they clearly are not. Additionally, Kansas City was 30th in total team penalties across the 2023 season and 18th in penalty yards per game- both nowhere near enough for a solid argument that they “get all the calls.” And yet, last night’s overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was just more concrete evidence they get them otherwise.
Listen, as a Kansas City fan since Mahomes’ second year in the league, I get it. Most fans of other teams hate the teams that are good year after year. I’m no stranger to that either—I was a Patriots hater during the team’s Tom Brady era as an Indianapolis Colts fan, and I still balk at anything involving the so-called “GOAT.” The greatest QB isn’t just determined by how many rings he has. You want the whole picture? Look at the stats, such as career passing yards or quarterback ratings. Super Bowl wins fall into that. But back to the issue at hand- yes, last night’s game was effectively decided on a missed penalty.
But even so, two things happened with that.
The false start was committed by Kansas City’s flag magnet, LT Jawaan Taylor. He’s been caught for that so many times now that the refs thought it pointless to call him yet again. Taylor was by far the most flagged man in the entire league last year. Just think how long it took to come to that decision. How much individual research on the hundreds of games that go on in a typical NFL season needs to be done? It’s not like it would’ve affected the Chiefs’ drive anyway; it would’ve only set them back five yards, and Mahomes could’ve easily turned things around in a blink.
And here’s a look at the Chiefs’ individual penalty totals in each of their eight games this season compared to whoever they were playing. Week 1, against the Ravens: six calls to Baltimore’s seven. Week 2, against the Bengals: four to the Bengals’ eight. Week 3: six apiece vs the Falcons. Week 4 against the Chargers: five to nine. Week 5 against the Saints: five to six. Week 6: four to six. Week 7: eight to five. Week 8: three to six. Ok, fine, maybe most of those games (six of eight in 2024) had the majority of calls going in the Chiefs’ favor, but think about it- it could happen to any team, any time, anywhere.
The fact that most calls seemingly benefit a team that also happens to be a defending Super Bowl champion is just a little extra icing on the hate cake. It’s most likely not the only time in NFL history a team has benefited from most penalties going against their opponents. Just ask the early 2000s Patriots, especially with the now infamous “Tuck Rule.” And nobody else thinks any teams besides the Chiefs get calls their way, do they? Not one bit.
And the proof is even worth more when you look at Super Bowl penalty stats. In the four most recent SBs the Chiefs have made, they have totaled 24 total penalties for 213 penalty yards, considerably more than their opponents’ combined 21 penalties for 157 yards. And yes, many fans are still not over the ending to Super Bowl 57, but let me get this straight- first, Kansas City would’ve definitely had some magic to get out of a jam or just kick a longer FG than they did, given Harrison Butker’s leg power, and when the guy who literally got called for the game-changing penalty personally admitted he tried getting away with it, your complaints are basically invalid!
I’m surprised Eagles fans are up there with the Chiefs and Packers for fan loyalty because at least KC’s faithful don’t throw batteries at opposing players or all manner of trash AT SANTA CLAUS when he randomly shows up at a game! But this isn’t about those blasphemous Philly fans—it’s about the team’s fans who have not been and have never been penalty beneficiaries consistently enough to warrant the outlandish claim of “getting all the calls.” The Chiefs Kingdom is never deterred, no matter what is tried!
