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As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for their third straight Super Bowl appearance on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, they’re still facing detractors who believe they reached this point because they get favorable calls from officials.
“It reminds me of the script, that I write a script for the entire season… It’s a ridiculous theory, for anyone who might take it seriously,” Goodell said.
Goodell added that the league is constantly exploring ways to improve its officiating and may add ways to review plays, such as facemask penalties, going forward.
“I’m proud of what they do, but that doesn’t mean we’re not trying to get better,” Goodell told reporters.
When asked if there would be a penalty for players like Kansas City star quarterback Patrick Mahomes flopping to draw penalties, Goodell said he doesn’t view that as a significant issue, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the competition committee discussed it in the future.
The Chiefs’ 15-2 finish to the 2024 season wasn’t without its hardships. Many wins came down to the last minute, as Kansas City was fortunate to have some calls go their way. Of course, that didn’t help the perception that the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champions were being gifted the opportunity to achieve the first three-peat in modern NFL history.
For example, in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, star quarterback Josh Allen was ruled short on a crucial fourth-down play despite appearing to have picked up the first down. The play swung the momentum in the Chiefs’ favor, helping them secure a 32-29 win. Unsurprisingly, the controversial play was one of the biggest talking points after the game.
Fans will certainly be paying close attention to Sunday’s Big Game, as the Eagles will be the last to try their hands at knocking the Chiefs from their perch. Any questionable plays that work in Kansas City’s favor will certainly be under a microscope following the Super Bowl.