The Chiefs’ dramatic win over the Raiders has reignited baseless conspiracy theories that the NFL is ‘rigged’ in favor of the back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
Kansas City avoided a disaster on Black Friday, when the then-2-9 Raiders had a late drive into Chiefs territory, knowing a field goal would win the game.
But with 15 seconds on the clock, Las Vegas botched a snap, allowing the Chiefs to escape with a 19-17 win – and secure a playoff spot for the 10th consecutive season.
After the game, Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell said the error, which cost his team the game, was ‘completely my fault’.
Chiefs radio announcer Mitch Holthus, meanwhile, said after Kansas City recovered the fumble: ‘Who is writing these scripts? Ted Lasso’s writers are blushing.’
It was far from the first time this season that the 11-1 Chiefs have sneaked home. Patrick Mahomes and Co side beat the Bengals, the Ravens and the Broncos in miraculous circumstances, while they needed overtime to overcome the Buccaneers.
The Chiefs secured a dramatic victory over the Raiders after Las Vegas botched a late snap
The late reprieve prompted many fans to reignite baseless conspiracy theories about the NFL
The back-to-back Super Bowl champions are now one step closer to a fifth Super Bowl appearance in six seasons but many fans on social media made unfounded claims that this was the latest proof that games are fixed.
‘NFL is rigged. There’s no way this s*** keeps happening every week for the Chiefs. They should have like 6 losses,’ one fan wrote.
‘I ain’t big on conspiracy theories but this league is so rigged for Mahomes and the Chiefs,’ another said on social media.
‘Do better, @NFL. The end of the Chiefs/Raiders was one of the worst called situations I’ve seen. It’s no wonder people believe it’s rigged,’ said a third.
‘I’m not even saying this as a bitter fan, but just as an NFL observer over the past couple years. I never believed the Chiefs got favorable calls, but this has just gotten out of hand,’ added a fourth.
