This NFL season was exceptional for both officiating controversy as well as the speculation surrounding the Chiefs and the idea that the NFL — in a frenzied effort to increase ratings — wanted to showcase the triumvirate of MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, premier tight end Travis Kelce and, of course, Taylor Swift, whose romance with Kelce and sightings at games became its own sideshow.
No matter the theory, part of the suspicion rested with the officiating and a perceived favoritism to all things Kansas City.
However, an ESPN analysis of penalty data showed that while the Chiefs did see some of their lowest percentages of overall game penalties in the playoffs this season, they did not benefit from fewer penalties than their opponents in the regular season.
Most of the time — 12 out of 17 games in the regular season — the officials threw more flags against the Chiefs than their opponents, according to ESPN's analysis, which included those that were declined or offset.