“If there’s contact to the head of the quarterback, that’s probably going to be called by the officials,” Anderson said of the roughing the passer flag. “…On this play there was contact. … There’s one place in the rulebook that it states by rule that when in doubt, officials are to call roughing the passer.”

The other call came when two Texans defenders appeared to hit each other much harder than Mahomes when the quarterback was sliding, but Houston was whistled for unnecessary roughness.

“When No. 39 comes in and the hairline of his helmet strikes the helmet of the runner who is already on the ground, that’s a foul,” Anderson said. “Even if replay assist could help with that, when there’s contact like that it’s not going to be changed.”

Both were consequential penalties, as the Chiefs ended up with a field goal on the drive that was extended by the roughing the passer on Will Anderson Jr. and a touchdown on the drive that included the unnecessary roughness flag.

Some of Houston’s key players did not hesitate to call out the officiating after the game.

While Houston was undoubtedly frustrated by the calls, that is not the reason it lost.

The offensive line was invisible for extended stretches as the Chiefs sacked Stroud eight times. Multiple promising drives were cut short by sacks as the Texans quarterback had little time to throw throughout the game.

What’s more, Houston’s special teams were terrible.

Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed two field goals—one of which was blocked—and an extra point. The kickoff coverage team also allowed a long return to start the game that set up a field goal, and Kansas City’s final field goal came on a short field after a poor punt.

The Chiefs are attempting to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, and any close calls that benefit them are going to draw additional attention as other fanbases become more frustrated with their constant winning.

Still, the Texans didn’t make enough plays to escape a road game in Kansas City with a win.