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NFL fans (and pundits) have accused NFL officials of giving the Kansas City Chiefs preferential treatment in recent seasons. The topic became so prevalent that NFL Roger Goodell even addressed it, dubbing it a “ridiculous theory.”
Before the Chiefs faced the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was also asked about the notion that Kansas City gets special treatment from officiating crews.
“Ehh, I don’t — I don’t think that’s a narrative we’re frustrated with,” Payton said during an interview with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show. “The narrative our league is frustrated with is, has officiating kept up with the pace of play? … I don’t subscribe to that [the Chiefs getting calls] at all. I think they’ve earned everything they’ve gotten.”
The Broncos lost in Kansas City in Week 10 after their last-second field goal attempt was blocked. Denver later beat the Chiefs’ backups at home in Week 18. They’re set to face off again twice in 2025 (view the full list Broncos’ opponents here).