Football fans lamenting over the NFL being “rigged” is nothing new.
But they felt like they had a legitimate gripe during the second half of the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The Chiefs are headed to another Super Bowl after a close win over Sunday’s opposition, closing things out with a field goal at the end to secure a 23-20 result. The Bengals have themselves to blame for that last play as they put KC in field-goal territory with an ill-advised foul on Patrick Mahomes.
The NFL is rigged. It’s just rigged.
The #Chiefs were going to punt.
Never seen this in my life.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 30, 2023
Several plays prior, however, the Chiefs were given a second opportunity on a third down because the official had tried to stop play before the snap. Zac Taylor was livid on the sidelines, while Twitter was in disbelief.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Chiefs got a third down on a holding penalty.
You could see some of the reactions below.
The #Chiefs got two 3rd downs, got stopped twice, and refs still called another penalty to take it away.
The league must really hates Cincy but come on, you’re rigging NFL games now in front of everyone?
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 30, 2023
Player of the game #NFLrigged #NFCChampionship pic.twitter.com/Vq5kHHpl9O
— Natalie Hastings #SOSOhio #SOSNicaragua (@nataliehastings) January 30, 2023
“Calm down, Patrick. I’m giving you guys another 3rd down. Let me cook.” pic.twitter.com/2s5oTrUq7h
— BLACK ADAM SCHEFTER (@B1ackSchefter) January 30, 2023
