The Kansas City Chiefs are officially back, which means it’s time for fans to question the NFL’s treatment of Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.
After rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane picked off Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix on the opening possession, Mahomes led the Chiefs on a 10-play, 46-yard touchdown drive. He capped off the drive with a rushing touchdown, proving he’s not afraid to run after suffering a torn ACL in December 2025.
While Chiefs fans were happy to see Mahomes use his legs, the rest of the NFL world had a problem with a missed call on the field.
ESPN’s replay review showed Kelce clearly holding Broncos defensive back Talanoa Hufanga near the goal line. That could’ve been the difference between Mahomes scoring the touchdown or getting stuffed short.
© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
“Travis Kelce is BLATANTLY holding Talanoa Hufanga on this play,” Zack Kelberman of Mile High Huddle said. “Refs swallowed their whistles. Absolutely disgusting.”
“Blatant hold on Travis Kelce. Refs already in mid-season form,” one fan commented.
“Look at that another hold obvious on Travis Kelce,” a second fan wrote on X. “Refs are watching the play unfold in order for it to be called a touchdown yet they cannot see a blatant hold! brutal here we go again.”
“Refs let Travis Kelce hold the defender so Pat Mahomes could score,” another fan said.
Do the Chiefs actually benefit from the officials?
It might sound ridiculous, but the Chiefs have actually benefited from the refs more than other NFL teams, according to research done by UTEP.
UTEP’s study looked at officiating results from 2015-2023. Their researchers determined that Kansas City benefitted from “slanted officiating” similar to what Tom Brady’s New England Patriots received in the past.
At the end of the day though, we’ve seen countless NFL teams benefit from non-calls in the past. We’re not sure if a missed call on Kelce should result in fans begging for new officials.
