In the AFC Championship Game victory over the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs made a defensive stand, stopping a sneak from quarterback Josh Allen on fourth-and-1. The play was reviewed and the ruling upheld, touching off protests on social media and keeping Kansas City squarely in the center of attention when it comes to questionable calls.

Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt spoke about the theory that the referees are favoring the Chiefs, saying that you "almost have to laugh at it."