NEW ORLEANS – Roger Goodell has a word for the popular conspiracy theory that the Chiefs are getting favorable calls from NFL officials in order to make sure their Patrick Mahomes-, Travis Kelce-, Taylor Swift-fueled dynasty keeps winning.
“That’s a ridiculous theory,” the NFL commissioner said Monday at his annual pre-Super Bowl news conference, “for anyone who might take it seriously.”
The two-time defending champion Chiefs have been called for three defensive holding, one roughing the passer and one unnecessary roughness penalties over the last four years of playoff games, according to Sharp Football Analysis.
Their opponents in those games have been flagged for 22 of those same big-yardage penalties.
Moreover, the Chiefs have been called for 41 cumulative penalties to the opponents’ 71.
Across 11 games, the Chiefs have accumulated more penalties than the opponent once but never more penalty yardage.
“This sort of reminds me a little bit of the script, right? That I write the script and have the script for the entire season,” Goodell quipped, mocking a past conspiracy theory.
“A lot of those theories are things that happen on social media and they get a new life. Nobody wants it to be their theory. I understand it. It reflects a lot of the fans’ passion. It also is a reminder for us how important officiating is.”
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