The Kansas City Chiefs punched their ticket to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year, but their narrow victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium was far from controversy-free. In a back-and-forth battle worthy of playoff lore, questionable officiating decisions left Bills fans—and even neutral observers—wondering what might have been.
Here are the three most contentious calls from the game that tilted the scales in favor of the Chiefs:
3. Unsportsmanlike conduct: Phillips flagged, Kelce walks free
The Chiefs’ third touchdown drive turned into a flashpoint when Travis Kelce’s taunting went unpunished while Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Kelce, engaged in a heated battle with Bills safety Damar Hamlin throughout the game, was seen jawing aggressively with Hamlin after Patrick Mahomes’ one-yard rushing touchdown. Phillips, defending his teammate, confronted Kelce and hit him—drawing a penalty.
The unsportsmanlike conduct flag against Phillips pushed the extra-point attempt closer for Kansas City. While it didn’t drastically alter the scoreboard, it raised eyebrows about the officiating consistency. Kelce’s antics could have easily drawn a taunting penalty, creating a more balanced outcome. In a game decided by razor-thin margins, these decisions matter.
2. Xavier Worthy’s “catch” stands despite 50-50 replay
The Chiefs’ second-quarter drive to extend their lead to 21-10 was defined by a pivotal call on a third-and-5 pass to Xavier Worthy. Mahomes launched a deep ball into tight coverage, with Worthy and Bills defender Cole Bishop vying for control. The pass was ruled a catch for Worthy on the field, despite replay evidence suggesting the ball may have made contact with the ground during the struggle.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott challenged the play, but the ruling stood, costing Buffalo a timeout and leading to a Chiefs touchdown just a few plays later. While Kansas City capitalized, many—including CBS analysts Tony Romo and Gene Steratore—questioned whether the play should have been overturned.
Had the call gone the Bills’ way, Kansas City might have been held to a field goal, leaving Buffalo trailing by only a single score instead of two possessions.
1. Josh Allen’s fourth-and-1 sneak ruled short
The game’s most significant moment came early in the fourth quarter with Buffalo clinging to a 22-21 lead. Facing fourth-and-1 at Kansas City’s 41-yard line, the Bills turned to their powerhouse quarterback Josh Allen for a sneak.
Initially, one official signaled a first down, but another marked Allen short of the line to gain. The play was reviewed, but the call stood, resulting in a turnover on downs. Replays appeared to show Allen reaching the 40-yard line, which should have been enough for the first down. Even the CBS broadcast team vehemently disagreed with the ruling.
This decision handed momentum back to the Chiefs, who took full advantage with a game-winning drive. The controversial turnover robbed Buffalo of a chance to extend their lead and control the game’s tempo in the closing minutes.
A familiar storyline: Chiefs and officiating controversy
Sunday’s game reignited a familiar refrain among NFL fans: the perception that Kansas City benefits from favorable officiating. From complaints in earlier rounds to this AFC Championship clash, detractors believe the Chiefs have repeatedly gotten the benefit of the doubt from referees.
For Buffalo, these decisions will haunt the franchise in the offseason. While no one can say for certain how the game would have played out otherwise, these pivotal moments undeniably shifted momentum toward Kansas City.
What’s next for Buffalo and Kansas City?
For the Bills, this loss adds another chapter to a storied rivalry but also underscores the challenges they face in dethroning the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Kansas City heads to the Super Bowl, but the shadow of officiating controversies continues to follow them.
