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The Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend wasn’t without controversy, as the officials made a key pass interference call in the 4th quarter that rescued the Chiefs.
The refs bailing the Chiefs out is certainly a conspiracy that’s grown in recent years. It might reach a boiling point this season, especially if statistics like the one below become increasingly popular. Since 2018, future Hall of Fame and three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes has had 17 interceptions called back due to a defensive penalty, which is the most in the league during that time.
Patrick Mahomes just threw his 17th INT that was called back due to defensive penalty. Most in the NFL since 2018.
— Tweets by Sneaky Joe (@SneakyJoeSports) September 15, 2024
As some fans have pointed out, however, some of those interceptions likely came while Mahomes was running a free play due to an offsides call on the defense.
In the Chiefs’ narrow 26-25 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, Mahomes completed 18 of 25 passes for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. As for Bengals QB Joe Burrow, he completed 23 of 36 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
While the Chiefs have begun the season undefeated, Mahomes has looked far from his otherwordly self has he’s already thrown 3 interceptions. Still, he’s completed over 71% of his passes in both games and made clutch throws when he needed to.
The Chiefs have begun the defense of their Super Bowl title with a 2-0 record as they head into Week 3 to take on the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday Night Football. If the Chiefs do win the Super Bowl this year, they’ll be the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three straight championships.