There are basically 3 reasons why there's a perception that teams like the Chiefs (and formerly the Patriots) get all of the calls:
The Patriots didn't get any calls the way the Chiefs do. The Patriots were villainized. The Chiefs are glorified.
1) That's a result of two things: success and Taylor Swift. The Patriots had plenty of prime time games in they streak. I remember because I was frustrated how many times a season I had to stay up late on work nights to watch them. This really isn't a strong supporting point, because the way the NFL is, even not on prime time games, visibility on things like that are front and center. I do hear the point though.
2) Again, I don't think this is strong in support. People tuned in to the Patriots just to watch them lose. Same with the Cowboys way back when. The point is they tend to be on the losing precipice more often than others and they get some crazy level of support. Usually from the refs. I'm not putting the refs bailing them out in the same breath as the blocked kick to diminish it. It is the one they actually earned. I just put them together because they shouldn't be 11-1. They should be 7-5, or 8-4. They've been directly bailed out to get a bye, and the narrative is because they need to make sure they get home field so Taylor can be shown more. Whether or not it's true, that's the optics.
3) This one?
Because this is STILL him driving his body weight onto the QB, which is roughing the passer by the rule. That occurs during the fumble. What should he do? Grab the ball and roll to his side, not use the QB as a cushion.
This falls into the same category as the call Friday and even way back to the Tuck Rule. It's properly called by the rules. We just don't like it.
Again, everything you've said applied to the Patriots and Cowboys before them. The difference is the NUMBER of calls bailing them out, right or wrong, are going to be scrutinized more.
And it's made worse by the fact the Chiefs are not good this year. Their defense is good, top 10. But they are middle of the road or worse in pass AND rush offense. Their pass defense has gotten progressively worse as the year has gone on, and they wouldn't be winning these games if NOT for these calls. They should not be ahead of Baltimore. Hell, Pittsburgh is better than them.
Take the Bengals. A MUCH better team than their record shows and they are out of the playoffs. They've also had several calls go AGAINST them, in the way KC has had them. Today even. A bogus false start (it was a CLEAR AS DAY offsides/encroachment) cost them a chance at a comeback.
Either way, the NFC is MUCH better than KC. And if it isn't Baltimore/Detroit in the Super Bowl, then I will die on the "NFL made this happen" hill.
www.espn.com
