Henry To’oTo’o and Will Anderson Jr. might have been flagged during Saturday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but that’s the end of the story.
The two Houston Texans defenders were not fined by the NFL for controversial officiating calls during Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round showdown.
During the third quarter, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes began to slide after trying to pick up a first down. To’oTo’o and Anderson tried to make contact with him, but instead ran into each other.
This is the kind of play that, starting next season, could be included in NFL replay assist: https://t.co/PyWZGslCi5 pic.twitter.com/tHqRZmV3p6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2025
Officials ruled a late hit and tacked on 15 yards after the play. Kansas City would eventually score on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Travis Kelce, extending the lead to eight.
Anderson was also called for a roughing the passer penalty on third down, which resulted in a field goal from Harrison Butker to give Houston a 6-3 lead.
“We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game,” Anderson said.
The Texans didn’t lose at Arrowhead because of officiating. C.J. Stroud was sacked eight times, including four times in the fourth quarter on promising drive. Houston also left seven points on the board from missed kicks by Ka’imi Fairbairn.
But Houston has a case to feel wronged. Most hits like the one against Anderson aren’t called. Following the game, referee Clay Martin said Anderson led with the crown of his helmet and connected with Mahomes’ neck area, which justified the flag.
“I had forcible contact to the facemask area and so I went with roughing the passer on that play,” rMartin told a Houston pool reporter representative.
The Texans finished the season 11-8 with a playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston will select 25th in the upcoming NFL draft.
