Are the Chiefs the NFL’s ‘official’ winners? By the numbers

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(NewsNation) — The Kansas City Chiefs hope to make history Sunday by becoming the first team in National Football League history to win three straight Super Bowl championships.

As impressive as the Chiefs roster and postseason resume are, however, skeptics have fueled a popular narrative suggesting Kansas City’s potentially historic run has been, and continues to be, aided by those in power in the NFL.

Chiefs’ regular-season, playoff success by the numbers

The Kansas City Chiefs have appeared in 12 playoff games the last four seasons, a stretch that has included three Super Bowl appearances (including Sunday’s). Here’s a look at those runs by the numbers, according to NewsNation analysis:

• 1: Playoff games in which the Chiefs were penalized for more yards than their opponents

• 11: Playoff games in which Chiefs opponents were penalized more than Kansas City

• 25: Regular-season games the Chiefs were penalized more than their opponents

• 42: The number of times the Chiefs were flagged for penalties in playoffs

• 52: Regular-season victories by the Chiefs since 2021 compared to 16 losses

• 71: The number of penalties called against Chiefs opponents in playoffs

• 340: Penalty yards tallied by the Chiefs in playoffs

• 589: The total penalty yards assessed to Chiefs opponents in playoffs

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NFL defends itself over claims it favors Mahomes, Kelce

The discrepancy has led to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell facing questions from reporters this week in New Orleans in the buildup to Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX game between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Goodell dismissed the idea of NFL officials favoring Chiefs superstars Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and their teammates as a “ridiculous theory.”

“This sort of reminds me a little bit of the script,” Goodell told reporters. “That I write a script, and I have the script for the entire season. … I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion, and I think it also is a reminder for us (about) how important officiating is. And I think the men and women that officiate the NFL are outstanding. They have the highest possible standards.”

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Officiating came into question in Kansas City’s 32-29 AFC Championship Game victory over the Buffalo Bills. The victory, which propelled Kansas City to its third straight Super Bowl, included several close calls in Kansas City’s favor.

The most notable: a ruling Bills quarterback Josh Allen came up short with Buffalo facing a critical 4th-and-1 situation while leading by one point. The scrutiny of the calls is part of the league’s decision to turn to technology to more accurately determine ball placement starting next season.

Other conspiracy theorists point to a series of questionable spots of the football by officials during the AFC title game.

Chiefs and Patriots comparisons

Debate over Kansas City’s relationship with NFL officials has drawn comparisons to the New England Patriots, who won six Super Bowls and appeared in nine between 2001 and 2019. Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick told “The Pat McAfee Show” he got used to the theories.

“We dealt with a similar thing, and we were one of the least penalized teams in the league,” Belichick said. “Especially offensively, but as a total team, we were one of the least penalized teams in the league for, you know, a long, long time. I mean, almost two decades, and the Chiefs are doing the same thing.”

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While defending the league’s officials, Goodell also pointed this week to Kansas City’s success rate in games decided by one score. This season, of the Chiefs’ 15 regular-season victories, 11 included margins of seven points or less.

“I think that talks about the competitiveness of our game and the importance of how we officiate it but also the competitiveness of how we play it,” Goodell told reporters.

The Chiefs face continued questions

Despite evidence the Chiefs, who won last year’s Super Bowl with a 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, have displayed an impressive championship meddle, the questions over alleged preferential treatment from the league and its officials continue.

During a Super Bowl Media Day appearance this week, Mahomes was asked about his relationship with game officials.

“For your whole career, you’ve had so many great people help you win,” Mahomes was asked. “So who is your favorite ref?”

Mahomes responded, “That’s hilarious. All the refs are great. They do the best they can. And (I) go out there and play the game the right way.”

NFL Referees Association Executive Director Scott Green issued a statement to Yahoo Sports stating an officiating crew is not assigned to the same team more than twice a year.

“It’s insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow, 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team,” Green said.

Meanwhile, Kelce, Kansas City’s star tight end who is dating pop music icon Taylor Swift, was given the chance to ask the media a question during an availability this week with reporters.

“Why are you guys leaning into this whole ref thing?” Kelce asked.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also downplayed the fascination with speculation the officials have his team’s back. On an appearance on McAfee’s show, Reid was asked directly what he thinks about the conspiracy theories.

“Listen, I try not to pay attention to any of that stuff,” Reid said.

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