Kansas City, MO – November 2, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs left Buffalo in disbelief after a 28–21 loss to the Bills, a game now shrouded in controversy over
officiating decisions that fans and players alike are calling “rigged.” Yet amid the chaos, Patrick Mahomes stood tall — taking full responsibility for the loss while fiercely calling out the NFL and the referees for what he described as a disgraceful moment for the league.
The pivotal incident came in the third quarter, with Kansas City trailing 21–13. Mahomes was flagged for intentional grounding
, even though replay clearly showed the pass had been tipped by a Bills defender. Head coach Andy Reid immediately attempted to challenge the play but was told it was
“not reviewable.”
Adding fuel to the outrage, the officiating crew was led by referee Carl Cheffers, a name that Chiefs fans have long associated with controversial decisions. Once again, Cheffers’ crew delivered a
costly, game-changing error — one that erased a key drive and swung the game’s momentum toward Buffalo.
Cheffers’ history with the Chiefs is infamous; he has been at the center of multiple questionable calls over the years that directly impacted Kansas City’s outcomes. Sunday night only deepened that frustration.
After the game, Mahomes addressed the media with composure but unmistakable frustration.
“I’ll take full responsibility for this loss — that’s on me,” he said. “We had chances, and I didn’t finish the way I should’ve. But one thing’s for sure: I never want to hear anyone say ‘Refs for the Chiefs’ ever again. We fought hard, we got called harder, and we’ll keep fighting — that’s what this team does.”
Fans immediately flooded social media with slowed-down video evidence showing the ball’s clear deflection before Mahomes was penalized, labeling it “proof of bias” and reviving the trending tag #RiggedGame.
Despite the controversy, Mahomes refused to shift the narrative away from accountability — but his words left no doubt: the Chiefs were not only fighting the Bills, they were fighting the officials, too.
Mahomes Takes Full Responsibility but Blasts Refs, Accuses NFL of Rigging Chiefs-Bills Game and Points to Proof.
