Fans Call Chiefs’ AFC Championship Win ‘Rigged’—What Really Happened?
The Kansas City Chiefs faced the Buffalo Bills on January 26, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, during the AFC Championship.
The Chiefs secured their spot in the Super Bowl after a narrow 32-29 victory against the Bills. However, some NFL fans claim the Chiefs’ win was unfair, accusing referees of favoritism and even calling the NFL “rigged.”
Fans expressed their frustrations online, with one commenting, “🙄 Again… refs showing favoritism to the Chiefs. Let’s see how this Super Bowl goes.” Another wrote, “If you don’t think this game was scripted, just look at the refs. Unreal.”
Others were more direct in their disappointment, saying, “Are you proud of a team that ONLY WINS because of the refs? Everyone notices how rigged this is. It makes football hard to watch.”
Not all fans were upset, though. Some celebrated the victory, with one stating, “Great game! 🏆,” and another cheering, “Haters gonna hate… GO CHIEFS!!! ❤️💛.”
This win means the Chiefs are heading to their third straight Super Bowl, led by head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes praised his team and fans for their support and addressed accusations of referee bias. He said, “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, people will talk about the refs if you win. But I believe the players’ performances decide the game.”
Tight end Travis Kelce also dismissed the criticism, urging fans to celebrate the victory.
The Chiefs have a rich Super Bowl history. They won their first in 1970 against the Minnesota Vikings. After a 50-year gap, they triumphed in 2020 and again in 2023 and 2024.
Now, they are aiming for a record-breaking third consecutive win in Super Bowl LIX, where they’ll face the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch. The Eagles will fight for their second championship, while the Chiefs look to make NFL history.
