The Chiefs took care of business against the Colts on Sunday, notching a pivotal win that greatly improves their playoff chances in the uber-competitive AFC and moves them up to 6-5 on the year.
Patrick Mahomes, who was on the verge of making undesirable history by potentially losing three games in a row for the first time in his career, was able to get the Chiefs' offense back on track after digging themselves into an early deficit. Mahomes finished without a touchdown and recorded an ugly interception to start the game, but he got some help from Kansas City's stout defense to ultimately clinch the 23-20 comeback victory in overtime.
That's not to say Mahomes escaped the relentless scrutiny of NFL fans, though.
On one play in the third quarter with the Chiefs down 17-9, Mahomes was trying to find one of his receivers downfield but couldn't connect on the deep ball. Afterward, he was seen pleading with the refs for a flag, believing that a Colts defender had pulled on his facemask during the play:
ʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰᵉᵈ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃᶜᵉᵐᵃˢᵏ pic.twitter.com/3ryPt11wMc
— Tyler (@I_AM_WILDCAT) November 23, 2025
A replay video shows Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore reaching out with his hand and grazing Mahomes's helmet, but it didn't look like Adebawore really got a solid grip on the facemask:
Did the refs miss a facemask penalty for Mahomes? pic.twitter.com/nhPGBnvqMp
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) November 23, 2025
Many NFL fans didn't appreciate seeing Mahomes whine to the game's officials, given the quarterback's notorious history of seemingly getting a friendlier whistle throughout his NFL career. Earlier in the game, Mahomes benefitted from an arguably soft roughing the passer call that gave the Chiefs a free first down against the Colts.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Patrick Mahomes Ripped for Desperate Move After Missing Big Throw vs. Colts.
