"When stuff like that happens, it’s definitely disappointing" - Patrick Mahomes on officiating during Chiefs-Bengals rollercoaster
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke out this week about a controversial ending to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs were penalized 10 times during Sunday afternoon's Week 17 matchup against the Bengals, ultimately cost them the win and the overall No.1 seeding in the AFC.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals' win saw them secure the AFC North division title for the first time since 2015.
Mahomes spoke about the excessive penalties and the disappointing loss 34-31 while making a weekly appearance on 610 Sports Radio Kansas City on Wednesday morning.
“I know it’s a hard job, but when stuff like that happens in the game, it’s definitely disappointing to us as players, so you want to kind of go down win or lose. Whenever there’s penalties at the end of the game and it doesn’t go your way, it’s disappointing. Sometimes it happens, you kind of just move on and go to the next game,”-said Patrick Mahomes
Every single call which could have swung this Bengals/Chiefs has gone to the Bengals from the holding penalty which took away the kick off return to the half dozen PI penalties for the Bengals. It's laughable.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes moving on after frustrating Week 18 calls
If you're wondering, the Bengals have gained a first down through 4 penalties on the Chiefs' defense.
The Chiefs have 8 penalties for 78 yards. The Bengals have 4 for 52 yards.
While on the radio show, Patrick Mahomes did express his appreciation for the Kansas City Chiefs defense and their ability to make stops when needed, holding up the Bengals on third and fourth down on the goal line.
“The defense did a heck of a job getting those stops there at the end, it didn’t work in our favor, but when you’re getting six stops at the goal line that could’ve pushed the game to overtime, that’s all you can ask for from the defense."
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said earlier this week that he was upset about the penalties and the officiating crew's judgment when it came to some of the calls. Reid declined to comment further on the topic when probed.
The Kansas City Chiefs are unlikely to get a first-round bye for the playoffs after losing the No. 1 seed to the Tennessee Titans last week.
Despite his feelings around the officiating, Mahomes knows that it is ultimately time to turn the page and move on. The Chiefs will face the Denver Broncos this coming Saturday afternoon on the road, where they will look to bounce back strong.